After forcing life out of gear in many places in Himachal Pradesh, rain has now also forced many big and small hydro projects to shut down as silt level in the rivers crosses the maximum limit. High silt level has forced the closure of the 1,500MW Nathpa Jhakri, the 1,000MW Karcham-Wangtoo and the 300MW Chamera-II hydro-power projects since Monday morning resulting in the stoppage of around 3,000MW to the northern grid.
Nathpa Jhakri power plant has been closed on Monday after the silt level was found to be 13,000 parts per million against the safe mode silt level should not cross beyond 4,000ppm. The 1,000MW Karcham-Wangtoo power project was also closed because of high silt level. The Chamera-II hydro-power project has also been shut temporarily due to high silt level in the river Ravi.
Himachal Pradesh is witnessing heavy rainfall in the higher hills due to which the silt level has increased in the rivers. Silt level is expected to remain high in the rivers as Shimla meteorological centre has issued a warning of very high rainfall in the low and mid hills of the state during the next 48 hours.
