Kullu, Jan 4 : Power crisis loomed over Himachal Pradesh as the water level in reservoirs had fallen steeply with water flows in rivers and rivulets getting drastically reduced due to plummeting temperatures.

Due to the non-melting of the snow following very low temperatures, the reservoirs are not receiving enough water to maintain the minimum required levels at which the hydel-power projects are operated.

T. Swaminathan, the General Manager of Malana Hydro-Electric power project of said that hydro-power generation is water dependent and during winter season the temperature is very low in the upper reaches and the snow doesn''t melt. Due to this the rivers do not get the requisite amount of water to generate electricity.

"The water inflow is much less than the average inflow. So, naturally, we will get very much less generation, we will be getting around 2.5 lakh units per day whereas it should be around 25 lakh units during peak season," he added.

The intense cold weather conditions coupled with shortage of electricity are compounding the problems of the people. Owing to power shortage for prolonged hours residents are not able to warm themselves using heaters and blowers.

Himachal Pradesh caters to the power needs of North India including the National Capital Region (NCR), Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh. (ANI)