A High-Accuracy Hydrological Network for the Neelum Basin
Telemetric Stream Gauging Stations on the Neelum River
How CDigital Delivered Automated Streamflow Intelligence Across Pakistan’s Most Remote Mountain Corridors
About The Client
The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), through its Hydrology & Research Directorate, is responsible for monitoring Pakistan’s river systems to support hydropower generation, flood forecasting, and national water regulation. The upper Neelum Basin — feeding the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Plant and impacting downstream reservoirs — is one of the country’s most strategically important yet logistically challenging hydrological zones. With funding support from the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company (NJHPC), WAPDA partnered with CDigital to establish the first modern telemetry-enabled stream gauging network in the Neelum Valley. This initiative aimed to replace manual, weather-dependent measurements with continuous, high-accuracy, real-time flow intelligence.
Challenge
The Neelum Valley presented one of Pakistan’s most difficult hydrometric environments: steep mountain corridors, harsh winters, frequent landslides, and vast zones without power or GSM coverage. WAPDA lacked automated monitoring capabilities, relying instead on manual gauge readings that were often delayed, unsafe to collect, and prone to human error — especially during peak flow periods. The absence of real-time, validated flow data limited inflow forecasting for the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Plant and reduced early-warning capability for flash floods. Remote locations, communication gaps, and hazardous field access compounded operational risks, leaving a critical national hydropower corridor without reliable hydrological intelligence.
Key Features:
- 04 Real-Time Stream Flow Stations
- 10M+ Population Positively Impacted
- Advanced Cross-Section & ADCP Discharge Profiling
- High-Altitude Hydromet Monitoring in Remote Valleys
Delivered Services:
- Non-Contact Hydrological Sensing
- ADCP-Based River Profiling & Hydraulic Calibration
- Hybrid Telemetry (Satellite + GSM)
- Cloud-Based Hydromet Platform
- Autonomous Power Infrastructure
- Training & Capacity Building