Ranganadi Project reduced impact of flood in Assam

New Delhi, Jul 3 (UNI) The severity of flood in Upper Assam last month was reduced due to diversion of water into Dikrong river on account of generation from the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project, an official statement said.

The Ministry of Power today clarified that due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of River Ranganadi in the evening of June 13 this year, the inflow of water into the river increased to the tune of approximately 428 Cumec in the early hours of June 14 and to approximately 2120 cumec by 0510 hours.

The huge inflow could not be stored in the small reservoir of 5.7 M Cumec capacity. Therefore, the water was allowed to pass downstream through the spillway meant for this purpose and also for the safety of small dam, the statement said.

Water from the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project is released into the Dikrong river after generation, and only excess water is allowed to pass through in the main Ranganadi river.

The flood which has occurred in the main river would have even been more severe if the project was closed and all the water was allowed to pass through in the main river, the statement added.

The Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project 405MW (3X135MW) developed by NEEPCO (North Eastern Electric Power Corporation) on the River Ranganadi in the State of Arunachal Pradesh is a run-of-river scheme with a very small pondage. A maximum discharge of only 160 Cumec of water can be utilised for generation of power which is eventually diverted from Ranganadi river to the Dikrong through tailrace channel.

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