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Pakistan Water and Power Updates.

The Ghazi Brotha canal has a very fast flow and the length of this canal is quite long. There are many bridges on the way. If an average turbine is installed under each bridge, a lot of electricity can be generated.
 
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Chairman WAPDA visits Tarbela 5th Ext; reviews progress on project
Project to start power generation in 2025: project team

May 19, 2023: Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), during his visit to Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project, was briefed that electricity generation from the project would start in 2025. Mr. Masood Ahmed from World Bank also accompanied the Chairman.

GM Tarbela Dam Zakir Ateeq, PD Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project and representatives of the Consultants and the Contractor, made detailed presentation on progress of the project. It was briefed that construction activities are underway on five sites. Recovery plan to match the completion schedule of the project was also discussed in detail during the briefing.

Earlier, the Chairman witnessed construction work on various sites including intake, penstock and outlet, power house, tailrace culvert and switch yard. Member (Power) WAPDA Jamil Akhtar, GM (Power) Tarbela Nasrum Minallah, GM (C&M) Water Muhammad Azam Joya, GM (HRD) Brig Hamid Raza (Retd) and GM (Security) Brig Muhammad Tufail (Retd) were also present on the occasion.

During his interaction with the project management, the Chairman said that green, clean and affordable hydel electricity is all the more important to rationalise the tariff and stabilise the economy. This necessitates timely completion of hydropower projects, he added. The Chairman urged the project management to gear up their efforts and complete Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project in accordance with the schedule.

WAPDA is constructing Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project on Tunnel No. 5 of Tarbela Dam. World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are providing financial assistance for the project to the tune of US$ 390 million and US$ 300 million respectively. Cumulative generation capacity of the project stands at 1530 MW with three generating units of 510 MW each.

The project will provide 1.347 billion units of environment friendly and low-cost hydel electricity to the National Grid on the average every year. With completion of Tarbela 5th Extension, installed capacity at Tarbela Dam will increase from 4888 MW to 6418 MW.

Chairman WAPDA also visited intake structure of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydel Power Station and discussed operation and maintenance (O&M) activities of the power station. Commissioned in 2018 with funding of the World Bank, the 1410 MW-Tarbela 4th Extension Hydel Power Station have so far provided 18.67 billion units of electricity to the National Grid.
 
Repair at Naleem Jhelum tunnel collapse restoration work near completion ... August

351507834_638620618294707_4213181909209004398_n.jpg
 
Repair at Naleem Jhelum tunnel collapse restoration work near completion ... August

351507834_638620618294707_4213181909209004398_n.jpg
NJ what a disaster project
Ghazi Brotha another disaster

Lot more could have been achieved with massive investment done on these two projects
 
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Wapda, UAE sign 2 MoUs​

The News
Jun 24, 2023

LAHORE: The Water & Power Development Authority (Wapda) signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the Private Office of His Royal Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates here on Friday.

The MoUs were signed by Chairman Wapda Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (retd) and Sheikh Maktoum on behalf of their organizations. The first MoU is aimed at establishing a framework for cooperation between the two offices to explore investment opportunities for Wapda’s small hydel power stations including :

1MW-Renala,
22 MW-Rasul,
13.2 MW-Chichokimalian ,
13.8 MW-Nandipur.

The second MoU is related to exploring investment opportunities for the energy sector of Pakistan, specifically for development of a floating solar power project. Under the MoUs, both organizations will work together to assess the technical and economic feasibility of these projects and develop a plan for their implementation.
 
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Mangla Dam almost full

MANGLA: The water level in Mangla Dam has risen to 1,241 feet which is only one foot lower than its maximum capacity of 1,242 feet on Wednesday.

The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has alerted the local administration about the release of 75,000 cusecs of water into the Jhelum River from August 17.

The Jhelum administration has also put the departments concerned on high alert. It also advised the people living along the banks of the Jhelum River to move to safe places.

“There is no flooding threat in the Jhelum River. All the departments concerned are on high alert,” said the administration.
 
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Mangla Dam filled to maximum capacity

Tarbela and Chashma reservoirs also filled to their maximum level13.443 MAF water available in reservoirs; good omen for agriculture, hydropower

August 17, 2023: Mangla Dam, the largest water reservoir in terms of water storage in the country, has filled to its maximum conservation level of 1242 feet. At present 7.356 million acre feet (MAF) water is available in Mangla reservoir.

The other two major reservoirs Tarbela & Chashma have also filled to their maximum level. resulting in the maximum availability of water in the dams, which is being regarded a good omen for agriculture and hydel power generation in Pakistan in the days to come.

As per details, the water storage at Tarbela Dam is 5.809 MAF and Chashma is 0.278 MAF. The cumulative quantum of water available at present in Mangla, Tarbela and Chashma reservoirs stands at 13.443 MAF.

According to the statistics, water level in Tarbela is 1550 feet and Chashma 649 feet above mean sea level.

The water inflow from Rivers Indus at Tarbela is 221000 cusecs and Outflows 199600 cusecs, inflow from River Jhelum at Mangla is 26000 cusecs and Outflows 10000 cusecs, and water inflow at Chashma is 310400 cusecs and Outflows 243100 cusecs.
 
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Revitalising water resource management

Abdul Waheed Bhutto
August 21, 2023

The Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 is a significant agreement that outlines the allocation of water resources among the four provinces of Pakistan. This accord established a formula to divide water resources equitably among the provinces. According to the accord, Punjab is allocated 48.92 per cent, Sindh 42.64pc, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 5.05pc, and Balochistan 3.38pc of the total water resources.

Additionally, the agreement stipulates that a minimum flow of 10 million acre-feet (MAF) of water should be maintained at the Kotri Barrage annually to prevent seawater intrusion in the Indus Delta and to support the region’s natural vegetation and local communities.

One of the prominent consequences of an early monsoon season is an elevated risk of flooding. Moreover, the timing of agricultural activities, such as planting and harvesting, is also influenced by the altered monsoon schedule, carrying economic ramifications for farmers and the broader economy.

Premature monsoons can significantly exacerbate floods, leading to considerable damage to infrastructure, property, and agricultural yields. This climatic shift can also result in the displacement of people and loss of life. It is important to note that the drainage infrastructure in Sindh is insufficient to manage the sudden influx of water during the monsoon season. Consequently, this inadequacy is expected to worsen issues such as waterlogging and stagnant water in the province.

The 1991 Water Apportionment Accord needs to be updated in accordance with climate change

Furthermore, the shift in the monsoon season’s timing introduces the potential for water scarcity in the latter part of the year. While heavy rainfall can trigger flooding, it does not guarantee consistent long-term water availability.

If the monsoon rains cease prematurely or if there is insufficient rainfall in subsequent months, drought conditions and water scarcity may arise. The effects of an early monsoon season on Sindh’s crops are intricate and hinge on several factors. While Kharif crops can benefit from the abundant moisture, Rabi crops might be negatively impacted due to delayed planting schedules and diminished yields.

To mitigate the impact of early monsoons on floods and water drainage, the government of Sindh can take several measures. One such measure is to improve the drainage system by cleaning the canals and irrigation channels and ensuring they are free from obstructions. The government can also invest in constructing new drainage channels to divert excess water to the sea.

Some freshwater lakes in Sindh include Keenjhar Lake, Haleji Lake, and Manchar Lake. These lakes are fed by rainfall and water from the Indus River. During the monsoon season, the water levels in these lakes increase, and they can potentially be used for agricultural and domestic purposes. Freshwater lakes have the potential to play a crucial role in storing floodwater and promoting sustainable agriculture in the region.

Storing floodwater in the lakes requires managing the amount of water coming from the Indus River when it’s raining heavily and flooding. This can be done by constructing spillways and channels that guide extra water into the lake. It’s also important to make sure the sides of the lake are strong and secure.

Additionally, removing the mud and debris from the lake through dredging might help the lake hold even more water. The effectiveness of this plan depends on a few things, like how much water is already in the lake, how much it’s raining, and how much water is coming from the Indus River.

Nevertheless, the revitalisation and enhancement of these reservoirs, coupled with the necessary modifications to the current irrigation infrastructure, necessitate substantial investments, which the Sindh government cannot initiate alone.

In addition to this, it is important to note that the water quality of these lakes may not be suitable for all uses. For example, Manchar Lake was once the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan, but pollution, waterlogging, and salinisation have severely impacted its ecosystem and surrounding communities livelihoods. Therefore, any efforts to utilise these lakes for water supply should be accompanied by measures to ensure the water quality is safe for consumption and other uses.

When it comes to seawater intrusion, the early monsoon rains can help. They bring more freshwater to the coasts, pushing back the salty seawater and maintaining a good balance. But there’s a catch — we need enough water for this to work, which can be tough during dry spells or droughts. So, it’s really important to handle our water resources smartly and carefully to make sure we have enough water and to prevent seawater from causing problems in Sindh.

As a result, it’s becoming increasingly vital to revisit and modernise the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord. This is crucial in order to address the evolving challenges concerning water resources and the shifts in our country’s climate conditions. The updated agreement should take into consideration new and emerging issues related to water management, including the growing scarcity of water, more frequent occurrences of droughts and floods, and changes in water availability due to factors like early monsoons and other climate-related concerns.

Furthermore, the updated accord could also tackle the need to improve the nation’s water infrastructure and enhance the capabilities of relevant institutions for effective water resource management.
 

Tarbela filled to full conservation capacity

Khaleeq Kiani
August 20, 2024

TARBELA Dam is the country’s second largest reservoir with a gross storage capacity of 11.6MAF.—File photo


TARBELA Dam is the country’s second largest reservoir with a gross storage capacity of 11.6MAF.—File photo
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaMc238IiRov8okfYy3n
ISLAMABAD: Tarbela Dam — the country’s second largest reservoir — attained its full conservation capacity on Monday as total live storage crossed 11 million acre feet (MAF), just 15pc behind 13.35MAF maximum capacity.

“Tarbela Dam reached its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet above mean sea level today, resulting in 5.766 million acre feet useable water in the reservoir,” Water and Power Development Authority announced.

Wapda said the filling of dam was a good sign for irrigated agriculture and generation of green, clean and affordable hydel electricity in the country.

On the other hand, Mangla Dam, the largest water reservoir in the country, stood about 30 feet short of its maximum storage.

Wapda reported its conservation level at about 1,214 feet. As of Monday, Mangla Dam was filled to a maximum elevation of 1,242 feet.

As such, useable water at Tarbela stood at about 5.18MAF on Monday against its maximum storage of about 7.3MAF.

Since April 1, about 6.5MAF water has flowed into the Arabian Sea — more than total storage of Tarbela dam. Under the 1991 water apportionment accord, the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) — the water regulator and Wapda are required to ensure at least 8MAF flows downstream Kotri Barrage for environmental reasons.

The Irsa on Monday reported total river flows of 417,000 cusecs at rim stations of which about 380,400-cusec water was released into the irrigation system, leaving behind about 47,000 cusec for conservation, mostly in Mangla and Tarbela dams.

The Indus was reportedly flowing at 256,400 cusecs at Tarbela dam against its total outflows of 235,000 cusecs.

The Kabul River at Nowshera was reportedly flowing at 66,400 cusecs, while the River Jhelum flows were registered at 25,800 cusecs at Mangla dam against its 10,000-cusec outflows.

At Marala headworks, the Chenab River was flowing at 62,700 cusecs.

Meanwhile, the federal flood commission reported medium flood in the River Indus in Taunsa-Sukkur reach and in low flood in Tarbela-Chashma reach. Also, the Kabul was in low flood at Nowshera.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2024
 
A total of 11.5 million acres of water is available in the three largest water reservoirs of the country, Tarbela, Mangla and Chasma.

The total storage of water in Tarbela, Mangla and Chasma is 2 percent higher than the average availability of the last 5 years.

Tarbela fully filled, water storage in spring is nearing its peak level, water level in Mangla lake is 1217.90 feet

Water level in Mangla Lake can reach 1222 feet by September 10 if irrigation requirements decrease due to rains

29 August: The three largest aquatic reservoirs of the country Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma have a total water storage today at 11.506 million acres, which is 2 percent higher than today's average availability of 11.267 million acres in the last 5 years.

Tarbela Dam has reached its full capacity to 1550 feet on August 19. This water level in Tarbela's aquatic reservoir is still intact, similarly the water level in the spring aquatic reservoir has 648.50 feet, Jupani is nearing 649 feet, while the current water level in Mangla Dam is 1217.90 feet which has passed The average of 5 years is slightly higher than 1217.45.

Mangla Dam has 5.455 million acres of water today, while in the last 5 years average water availability was recorded 5.423 million acres of water on this day. Current situation of water in Mangla Dam. Flow of water during current season in Jehlum River. Reflects of.

Along with the forecast of rains in the southern areas of the country, further improvement in the flow of Sindh and Kabul is expected in Mangla Dam due to less demand for water for irrigation due to the forecast of rainfall in the southern parts of the country.

According to the current trend and Arsa, the water level in Mangla Dam continues till September 10, Mangla Lake is likely to reach 1222 feet. If the water flow in Chenab River improves and there are rains in the few minutes area of Mangla Dam, The availability of water in Mangla's water reservoir may improve further.

Source: @WAPDA
 

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