The management of the Larji Hydroelectric Project has announced that all gates of the barrage in Kullu district will be opened for 24 hours from 6 am tomorrow to 6 am on September 21 to facilitate the removal of silt and accumulated waste from the reservoir during the monsoon season.
Ajay Thakur, Senior Executive Engineer of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, Thalout, said that the reservoir would be cleared of accumulated silt, debris and other waste during the operation.
As part of the process, all gates of the Larji barrage would remain open and up to around 2,000 cumecs of water may be released from the reservoir.
The project authorities have urged people living along the Beas in Mandi district, tourists and the general public to exercise extreme caution during the period and avoid going near the riverbank.
The increased water discharge may result in a sudden rise in the water level and create potentially dangerous conditions along the river.
Thakur also appealed to local residents to keep a safe distance from the Beas throughout the operation. “People have also been advised not to take their livestock or other animals near the river during the period when the barrage gates remain open,” he added.
The project management has stated that all necessary safety precautions will be taken during the operation. However, the residents and visitors have been urged to strictly follow the advisory and avoid unnecessary movement near the river to prevent any untoward incident.
The scheduled water release is part of the post-monsoon maintenance and cleaning activity at the Larji reservoir. The project authorities have appealed for public cooperation to ensure that the silt and accumulated waste removal work is completed safely and smoothly.
