12 units of powerhouse closed as Tarbela Dam reaches dead level

The production of electricity at Tarbela Dam’s powerhouse has dropped following the water level in the dam reached 1402 feet, which is called the dead level, media reported on Saturday.

After the closure of 12 out of 17 units producing electricity, now only five units of the dam are functional.

These five units supply 455 megawatts of electricity to the national grid station. The inflow of water in the dam stands at 17,300 cusecs while the outflow also stands at 17,300 cusecs.

The country’s average hydropower generation has reportedly dropped to 1100 megawatts after Tarbela Dam touched its dead level.

WAPDA’s hydropower capacity stands at over 9,400 MW, yet only around 1,100 MW is being produced on average. Both major reservoirs, Tarbela and Mangla Dams, have reached their dead levels, significantly reducing hydropower generation. The Chashma reservoir has also hit its dead level, according to official data.

Mangla Dam is currently producing no electricity as it has reached its dead level, while Tarbela is generating only about 440 MW on average. This week, WAPDA’s total peak hydropower generation was around 2,600 MW, with an average generation of approximately 1,100 MW.

Tarbela is currently the highest-producing hydropower facility, generating an average of 440 MW, followed by Ghazi Barotha at 410 MW, and Warsak at 61 MW. Smaller power projects contribute the remaining generation.

The depletion of water in these major reservoirs will also lead to a 30 to 35 percent water shortage for provinces during the remainder of the Rabi season.