Arguably a first for the Idukki reservoir, the peak summer water level in the dam rose by 0.06 ft in one of the days last week.
Summer usually has the water level showing a slump with an increase in demand and subsequent power generation.
But this year, even as the power generation at the Moolamattom power house remained high, an increase in the inflow through the Periyar and small tributaries helped in ‘maintaining’ the water in the reservoir at a comfortable average for over a week.
An official of the Dam Monitoring and Research Station, Vazhathoppe, told The Hindu on Saturday that it was for the first time that the dam witnessed such an increase in water level in April. The increase in inflow is because of the continuous heavy rain in the catchment area.
The water level in the dam on Saturday was 2,348.96 ft, which is 11.3 ft higher than that of the same day last year and 45.35 per cent of the total reservoir capacity.
“Usually the water level goes on an increasing trend by June and that too only after three or four days of continuous rainfall,” the official said.
But this time, the increase registered will have a positive impact on the reservoir level as the southwest monsoon approaches.
The power generation at Moolamattom on Saturday was 9 MW.
The cool weather conditions also helped in reducing the high evaporation level that is otherwise experienced in April/May.
The reservoir has a water level to generate 967.75 million units of power.
The Idukki reservoir, mainly reserved for meeting the power demand during the summer season, contributes over 40 per cent of the total power generated in the State.
The State’s total power consumption is 65.80 mu, of which 41.41 mu is purchased from outside sources.
The summer rain across the State also helped in reducing the increase in the total power consumption, which is usually high during peak summer.