Over the week of March 16-22, the volume of water in the Toktogul Reservoir decreased by 122.76 million cubic meters, reaching 7.1966 billion cubic meters. Since the beginning of the month, it has decreased by 717.15 million cubic meters. Compared to the same period last year, the water level is lower.
Since the beginning of the year, the water level has decreased by 3.23308 billion cubic meters. In comparison to last year, there is 678.89 million cubic meters less water. In 2023, the water volume in Toktogul was maintained at 7.8 billion cubic meters.
One of the reasons for this decrease is the low water inflow. This year, the average water inflow in the third week of March was only 187 cubic meters per second, compared to 222 cubic meters per second last year. However, with the warming weather, the water inflow into the reservoir has gradually increased, although it remains below the 2023 level.
A significant event in the third week of March was the notable reduction in water outflow from Toktogul. By the 22nd, the inflow and outflow were equal. As a result, the outflow was 1.3 times lower than last year, a first-time occurrence since the beginning of March. From March 16-22 this year, the outflow averaged 285 cubic meters per second, while it was 389 during the same period last year.
Currently, the situation with water in the Toktogul Reservoir is nearing a critical point. Energy officials have already warned that if this trend continues, by April, Toktogul may reach a "dead" volume, rendering the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Plant unable to generate electricity.