The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is planning a strategy to maintain a safe water level in dams, especially in Idukki, during the southwest monsoon in the wake of the unexpected opening of dam shutters that caused floods resulting in heavy damage in downstream areas.
It was for the first time in its history that the Idukki reservoir, one of the biggest in Asia, had to be opened during the start of the southwest monsoon. There are allegations that the shutters of the Cheruthoni dam of the Idukki reservoir were opened without enough preparations.
Unexpected levels
A trial run was planned releasing 50 cumecs when the water level reached 2,398 ft on August 9. However, more water had to be released with the sudden increase in water level.
From August 22, the release of water was brought down to the present level of 200 cumecs.
Though the present inflow was higher than the volume of water discharged to the power house at Moolamattom, a decision on lowering the shutters would be taken only after compiling the volume of inflow into the reservoir in the last northeast monsoon and the expected inflow in the coming northeast monsoon, KSEB sources said.
This would ensure a safe water level in the southwest monsoon while the reservoir would get maximum storage with the northeast monsoon. The plan would help in releasing water at a controlled level and taking timely decisions to open the dam to avoid higher volume of water release in a short period.
The water level in the Idukki reservoir was 2,395.72 ft at 5 p.m. on Friday. The full reservoir level is 2,403 ft.
The inflow was 221 cumecs and water was being discharged to the power house at 113 cumecs and to the Periyar at 200 cumecs.
