The surge in inflow over the last one month into the State’s three major hydel power reservoirs, in Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts, is expected to help negate power shortage worries for next summer.
The combined available live storage of water in Linganamakki, Supa and Mani reservoirs on September 30 was 196 tmcft against the total live storage capacity of 327 tmcft. This is 7 tmcft more than what was recorded last year on the corresponding day.
The 15 tmcft surge in the last one month alone will result in power production of over 200 million units (MU) more than last year, according to officials. With the present water storage, it will be possible to generate 18.99 MU of power per day till June 30, 2018.
According to Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. officials, the available water in three reservoirs will generate 5,204 MU of power.
A total 2,744 MU will be generated from Sharavathi hydel project, 1,874 MU from the Kalinadi hydel project and 586 MU from the Varahi hydel project. Depending on the requirement, water will be used for generating power, officials said. Last year, the State recorded a shortfall of over 600 megawatts (roughly 14.4 MU per day) during peak summer, forcing outages in Bengaluru and other parts.
The State relies on hydro-power projects to manage the peak-hour demand for power during summer. The inflow of water into the three reservoirs commences every year from first week of July.
Linganamakki reservoir provides water for Sharavathi hydel power project; while Supa reservoir is the source of water for Kalinadi hydro electric project. Mani reservoir provides water for the Varahi hydro-electric project. Contrary to normal trend, south-west monsoon was active in the Malnad region throughout September resulting in torrential rain in catchment areas of Linganamakki, Supa and Mani reservoirs. However, even after the revival of monsoon in the last month of the season, the available live storage in three reservoirs at present is mere 59.89 % of their total combined capacity.
With the withdrawal of the south-west monsoon commencing, chances of significant enhancement in the water levels in the coming days are less, according to officials.
