HARIPUR, Jan 4: The prevailing cold and dry weather has left Tarbela Dam almost dry with only 45.72 feet of water above its “dead level”. Due to the extremely low water level, the dam’s power generation capacity has been reduced to a mere 7 per cent, official sources told Dawn.

“It’s the cold and dry weather that has shrank the inflow to the reservoir, affecting the electricity generating capacity of one of the biggest hydel power sources in the country,” said an official.He added that the reduced electricity generation capacity of the dam had contributed to long spells of loadshedding in the country.

Tarbela’s powerhouse consists of 14 generators and has a total generation capacity of 3,478 megawatts. In July and August, its capacity increases to over 3,700 megawatts.

However, owing to the reduced water inflow into the reservoir the electricity generation has dwindled to only 7 per cent of the total capacity.

The gigantic water and power project has been meeting one-thirds of the country’s electricity needs.