The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has appreciated the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for demonstrating its skills and expertise yet again for filling of Tarbela Reservoir up to its maximum conservation level this year too. IRSA Chairman Sher Zaman Khan acknowledged the performance of Tarbela Dam Project authorities in a letter written to WAPDA Chairman, Lieutenant General Muzammil Hussain (Retd).

The letter states "I am compelled to acknowledge the outstanding performance as well as remarkable acumen, Tarbela Dam Authorities demonstrated in the filling of the Tarbela Reservoir to its Maximum Conservation Level during the ongoing Kharif Season 2019. IRSA was kept on board during the season especially on planning and better analysis of forecasting ensuring timely filling of the Dam without passing flood downstream." The letter further narrates "Although WAPDA's abilities are time tested, yet, in the multifaceted and challenging situation of operationalising Power Houses and filling of the reservoir, the skill was once again proven without a doubt."

Tarbela Dam is considered to be an iconic project for the contribution as it has made towards the development of Pakistan since 1974 by releasing the stored water for agriculture, mitigating floods and providing low-cost hydel electricity to the national grid. At the time of construction, Tarbela Reservoir had a live water storage capacity of 9.62 million acre-feet (MAF), however, it has reduced to 6.049 MAF because of the natural phenomenon of sedimentation. The installed capacity of Tarbela Hydel Power Station now stands at 4888 megawatts (MW) with completion of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019