The reservoir filling at Tehri Dam is under progress and is as per schedule. On August 29, the level of Tehri reservoir was 816 metres and it was expected that by August 31 the level would reach the 817 metre mark.
According to the officials concerned, the 260.5 metres high Tehri dam is one of the highest in Asia. The role of Tehri Dam in flood management during monsoon is one of its unique features, they claim. The Tehri reservoir is of about 40 square kilometres which accommodates additional water and thereafter its regulated release helps in flood mitigation in the downstream areas such as Rishikesh and Haridwar.
Authorities release water from the Tehri reservoir in a regulated manner during the monsoon and in winter season when flow of the river is comparatively less. It ensures proper flow for irrigation and drinking water needs by releasing additionally stored water from its reservoir.
The process of filling the Tehri dam reservoir starts from last week of June and continues till September. Presently, the reservoir filling at Tehri Dam is under progress and is as per schedule. As per the permission of the Government of Uttarakhand, the Tehri dam reservoir can be filled only up to 825 metres. If the monsoon remains the same as today, Tehri dam reservoir will reach the mark of 825 metres by the end of September, said officials.
Consequent upon reaching the 825 metres mark, sufficient amount of water can be released to ensure proper supply for coming harvesting season and also for drinking water requirement. At the same time energy generation can be performed as per schedule. Citing this the officials stated that at present the Tehri dam is working at its full potential.