dakpathar barrage file pic
Photo: amar ujala
Expansion
The quantity of water being continuously released from Dakpathar barrage into the Yamuna river is gradually decreasing. This has raised hopes of getting relief from the flood situation in Delhi. At the same time, due to less water, production of electricity has also started in the 120 MW Beasi hydroelectric project built on the Yamuna.
On Thursday, 60 thousand cusecs of water was discharged from the Dakpathar barrage into the Yamuna river. Whereas, this quantity of water was crossing one lakh cusecs and reaching two lakh cusecs for the last five days. Due to the decrease in the water level, it is being expected that the water level of the Yamuna, which is rising in Delhi, will also decrease. On the other hand, the water level of Bhagirathi and Yamuna is stable in Uttarkashi district. Whereas, the water level of Yamuna’s tributary Tons river has come down from the danger mark to the warning level.
The river Yamuna flows through the mountains and descends into the plain at Dakpathar. At this place the tributary Tons joins the Yamuna. The water of both the rivers collects in the Dakpathar Barrage. The water holding capacity of the barrage is 50 thousand cusecs. Water accumulated in excess of this is discharged into the Yamuna river through 25 gates of the barrage. The report of water released every half an hour is taken from the sensor installed at the gate of the barrage. A total of 48 reports are taken after 24 hours to estimate the water level.
In this regard, APRO of Jalvidyut Nigam Vimal Dabral said that the amount of water in Yamuna was very high, which now seems to be under control. This will make a big difference in the water level. The amount of silt in the water has also reduced. With this, power generation has started from the Byasi project.
Maximum water was released in 1978
So far the maximum water was released from Dakpathar Barrage in the year 1978. According to experts, at that time four lakh cusecs of water was discharged every day from the barrage. After this, in the years 2010 and 2013, this figure has remained two to two and a half lakhs.