Nathpa Jhakri hydro project remains shut due to high silt level in Himachal

Shimla, Aug 9 (ANI): High silt level in the river Satluj following heavy rains has prompted the authorities at the Nathpa-Jhakri Hydroelectric Project in Himachal Pradesh to keep the plant closed for the fifth consecutive day.

The authorities worry that heavy silt level might damage the turbines of the 1,500 Megawatt project that supplies electricity to all the northern states.

"The project has been closed due to the high silt level in the Satluj river. The silt level has gone up to 36,000 ppm (parts per million), which is way higher than our designed limit of 4,000-5,000 ppm. As soon as the silt level comes down, we will restart the production immediately. We produced around 36,000,000 units of electricity from this project," said N. C. Bansal, General Manager of the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited.

Amidst rising water levels in the turbulent Satluj river, residents of low lying villages in Himachal Pradesh are worried.

The state government, however, assured that the administration is geared to tackle the situation.

"Natural disasters are expected both in the rainy season and during the time of drought. The state government does everything it can to deal with the situation. We are alert and act immediately. We do any repair work wherever it is needed," said state chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

The power project produces around 36 million units of electricity per day. The temporary shutdown has resulted in power shortage in many states of north India.

The project supplies electricity to Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)