With rising Silt levels, four major hydropower plants have suspended generation in Himachal

The flash flood and opening of floodgates by the 1200 megawatt Wangtu and 300 MW Baspa power project in Kinnuar district forced the 1500 MW Nathpa Jakhari and 412 mw watt Rampur SJVNL hydro projects to suspend generation on Sunday Morning.

The incessant rainfall causing furry hampered the power generation in 3412 megawatt power plant on the Satluj  and Baspa river basin in Himachal Pradesh. The source in the power project said that Wangtu and Baspa power project floodgates were opened on Sunday Morning which suddenly shoot up the silt level in the Nathpa Dam feed 1500 mw Jakhri  and 412 mw  Rampur project. This also forced the SJVNL administration to shut down the both projects on Sunday morning to secure the Nathpa dam and open the flood gate of the desilting chamber. 

The water level rose up in the Satluj river, stranding about two dozen migrant workers and local people who were evacuated later by the NDRF teams. There are information that Wangtu projects released water from its Wangtu  and Baspa dams without informing the SJVNL and issuing alarming to downstream which caused the flood fury 

On Monday Chairman & Managing Director, SJVN  Mr Nand Lal Sharma held meetings through video conference to review the preparations at 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station & 412 Rampur Hydro Power Station  to ensure the safety of men and material. took stock of the situation in the state due to incessant rainfall since the last two days. The press release issued by the SJVNL confirmed that the level of rivers these projects are located has increased manifold.
 Nand Lal Sharma said that our priority is to ensure the safety of the people. He directed the Head of Projects to constitute High-Level Committees, to closely monitor the situation at the areas around the projects. He further instructed concerned officials to take immediate proactive actions in case any emergency arises due to inclement rainfall.