Idukki reservoir faces critically low storage levels
Following the completion of the first month of the water year, the Idukki hydel power project — one of the main power projects in the
Following the completion of the first month of the water year, the Idukki hydel power project — one of the main power projects in the State — is facing a critically low storage level of 23%. There is currently a storage deficit of over 43 feet in the reservoir compared to the previous year. The water year runs from June 1 to November 30. According to data from the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) dam safety wing, the storage level on July 1 was 2,321.24 feet, compared to 2,364.18 feet (58%) on the same date last year. Notably, despite 30 days of monsoon rains, the dam’s water level rose by only 4.14 feet, a mere 3.54% increase in storage over the month.
KSEB dam safety wing officials said that the reservoir’s catchment area did not receive adequate rainfall in June, resulting in low storage. “In the Thodupuzha areas of the district, it is receiving good rain, but the water is not flowing to the Idukki reservoir. The Idukki hydel power project accounts for nearly 25% of the State’s total power production. If this weather pattern continues through July and August, it could trigger a major power crisis in the State,” an official said. According to officials, KSEB normally generates power from its hydel projects, including Idukki, during June, July, and August, and banks the generated electricity with other States under a swap arrangement.
“The electricity is returned to KSEB during the next summer season with an additional 10%. However, electricity generation within the State remains low as there has not been an increase in storage levels in the hydropower dams this year,” the official added. However, officials remain hopeful for heavy rain in July and August. “In the last 15 years, there were times when the storage level dropped to alarming lows by July 1. However, subsequent heavy rainfall replenished the reservoir. We are hoping for a similar turnaround this year,” the official said. KSEB dam safety wing data shows that water levels have dropped even lower in previous years on this date. On July 1, 2012, the water level at the Idukki reservoir dropped to 2,301 feet, which was just 12% of the total capacity.
On July 1, 2019, the level stood at 2,304.72 feet, and on July 1, 2023, it was at 2,306 feet. Meanwhile, total storage across the State’s major hydel dams on July 1 stood at 17%, a steep decline from the 61% recorded on the same day last year. The water level of the Mullaperiyar dam remained low, and the level on Wednesday (July 1) was 112.10 ft. The maximum allowed level fixed by the Supreme Court is 142 ft.
The BriefWire