The water level in the Idukki reservoir increased by nearly 3 ft in a single day inching close to the blue alert level on Tuesday. The water level had been showing an increase of over 1.5 ft for the past two days. The water level at the reservoir has now touched 2,384.42 ft.
An official at the Dam Monitoring and Research Station, Vazhathoppe, said that the reservoir had a storage level of 84.46 %. A blue alert would be sounded when the water level reaches 2,387.40 ft followed by an orange alert at 2,393.40 ft and a red alert at 2,394.40 ft.
The full reservoir level is 2,403 ft. The catchment area recorded a rainfall of 78.2 mm on Tuesday.
A senior official of the Kerala State Electricity Board said on Tuesday that there was no need to open the dam shutters in the present situation.
Curve level
As per the new rule curve level fixed by the Central Water Commission, the water level has to be kept below 2,395.40 ft. Currently, it is over 10 ft short of the rule curve level, he said adding that there was an increased inflow in the Periyar and other tributaries. However, the rains subsided on Tuesday, he added.
If the water level shows a steady increase, the KSEB plans to increase the power generation at the Moolamattom power house. Of the six generators, five are in working condition. The number 2 generator, which developed a technical snag on January 20 is waiting for repair as it needed an equipment which had to be imported.
The water level at the Mullaperiyar dam was 127.85 ft on Monday. The the maximum storage level as fixed by the Supreme Court is 142 ft.
Kakki reservoir
Meanwhile, in view of the continuing rainfall, water level in the Kakki-Ananthodu reservoir, which is part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project, reached 975.63 m as against the Upper Rule Level of 976.91 m.
According to officials, the blue, orange and red alerts of the reservoir are issued when the water level rises to 974.91 m, 975.91 m and 976.41 m respectively. .
Pathanamthitta Collector P.B. Noohu has advised the people living on the river banks to exercise caution.
(With input from Pathanamthitta bureau)
