Power supply cut temporarily

Some hydropower projects have temporarily stopped electricity generation following heavy rainfalls in higher reaches of Uttarakhand on Friday. Officials of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited said excessive silt in the Himalayan rivers and their tributaries was responsible for the non-functioning of turbines of the hydropower projects, resulting in disruption in electricity generation.

An official said that the demand of electricity in the State on Friday was 30.60 million units, whereas the availability of electricity was 30.23 million units. UPCl had received 16.19 MU from various state hydro power units on Friday.The 198 MW Kalagarh hydro power project of Hydro Power Corporation has remained non-functional due to various reasons for the past many months. 

The power generation by the State-run hydropower units like Maneri Bhali-I (90 MW), Manari Bhali-II (304 MW) and Chila (144 MW) hydro power units was adversely affected on Friday due to silt in rivers, thus widening the gap between demand and availability of electricity. To meet the deficit, 1.50 MU power was purchased from central based hydro power units on Friday. Things are under control, claimed UPCl official on Friday. UPCl would purchase 2.50 MU from open market to bridge the deficit on Saturday, said the power official.