1DGM, THDC India Limited, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
2Exec. Dir., THDC India Limited, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
3Dir. Tech., THDC India Limited, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
Online Published on 04 February, 2022.
Tehri Dam – A Savior from Climate Change led Extreme Events Himalayan region is prone to rapidly changing weather at micro levels due to its topography, geology, tectonic activities and ecological fragility. In recent years, anthropogenic factors such as population, deforestation, land-use change and emissions due to urbanization have been implicated in extreme weather events in the Himalayas. The extreme events of cloud bursts, glacial lake formation and their outbursts, and significant changes in distribution of rainfall over space and time are common. large reservoir based hydro projects are need of the hour in each and every Himalayan river basin to regulate the highly unevenly distributed runoffs for sustenance of dependent civilizations. Tehri dam project is built as a mega project on river Bhagirathi in one of the largest river Ganga Basin of India. It is a multipurpose scheme designed for storing surplus water of river Bhagirathi during monsoon period in its reservoir and releasing the stored water after monsoon period from the reservoir through power house to fulfill the irrigation and drinking water requirements of population in the downstream while providing 1000 MW peaking power to northern grid. It is not only providing the water for consumptive use of downstream population but also safeguarding them from the fury of recurrent floods. It is providing irrigation support to 8.74 lac Ha. land in UP by way of additional irrigation to 2.70 lac. Ha. area and stabilization of 6.04 lac. Ha. already irrigated area. It has created biggest reservoir in this region which has vast potential for saving the downstream population from extreme events happening due to climate change. THDC India ltd., as a responsible owner of Tehri project, is in pursuit of new technologies and methodologies for continual improvements in its reservoir management program for ensuring safety of downstream population from recurrent floods, and safety of beneficiaries from droughts and water scarcity.
