The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) on Sunday increased water release downstream Mangla Dam on river Jhelum from 10,000 cusecs to 15,000 cusecs to generate more Hydel electricity from its Mangla Hydel power houses, which have the capacity to produce 1100 MW of electricity.
IRSA increased water discharges from the Tarbela dam on river Indus last week from 20,000 cusecs to 30,000 cusecs to generate maximum Hydel power from Tarbela, Ghazi Barotha, Chashma power houses during winter.
Director General Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) Mohammad Khalid hoped that after these increased water releases from the dams, the Hydel generation would cross 3,000 MW which is the cheapest source of electricity in the country.
According to a PEPCO spokesman, the current electricity generation from all sources was 10,550 MW against the national demand of 12,150 MW, while shortfall is 1635 MW which is met by load management.
Meanwhile weather has become pleasant after rise in temperature in the plains of Punjab and Sindh due to much below normal rains in the month of January. The day time temperature has shot up ranging from 22 to 30 degree Celsius in the two provinces.
Chhor in Sindh with temperature of 30 C was hottest place in the country on Sunday. However hilly areas of the northern regions remain in grip of cold and dry weather. The lowest minimum temperature -13 C was recorded at Kalam in KP, followed by - 9.C in Hunza. The Met Office forecast mainly cold and dry weather for most parts of the country on Monday.