HARIPUR, March 11: Power generation from the Tarbela Dam has reduced to 300MW after its dead level was lowered because of less inflow of water, sources told Dawn. The dead level was revised down to 1,365ft from 1,369ft to meet the Indus River System Authority's demand.

After remaining at its crest level of 1,550ft for several days, mainly due to the rainy season in the catchment area, the lake's water table shrank to 1,369ft during the last couple of weeks, compelling the Water and Power Development Authority to revise its dead level.

Sources said generation of the Tarbela power station No.1 was 300MW and four of its 10 generators were operating. They said six generators were undergoing maintenance and the generators No.11 to 14 at the power station No.2 were designedto generate electricity only when the water table in the lake was at its peak.

The dam's power generation capacity is 3,478MW but it is producing only 300MW in the daytime due to reduced flow of water, sources said. Sources attributed the depleting inflow to dry weather and growing demand for irrigation by the provinces. They said the situation would improve when the snow started melting in the catchment area.