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Record storage at Idukki dam, gates to be opened

Kerala Bureau

Collector convenes emergency meeting of officials today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as Kottayam and Idukki districts had a temporary respite on Sunday from heavy rain, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is gearing up to open the Idukki reservoir for the first time in 13 years.

According to KSEB authorities at Moolamattom, the water level in the reservoir has reached 2,396.7 ft (as per the reading at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday), a record for the month of September. The maximum storage capacity of the reservoir is 2,403 ft.

In the last two days, the level increased by over two feet, they said. KSEB authorities have set up camp at the reservoir site to monitor the water level. They said if the dam was opened, the outflow would be regulated in relation to inflow in order to keep the water level in the reservoir steady. In the 31-year history of Idukki reservoir, it was opened for the first time in 1981 and then again in 1992. The reservoir was opened on November 15 in 1992 when the water level reached 2,401 ft.

Rainfall in the Peermade, Vandiperiyar and Kumily areas which form the catchments of the reservoir was low on Sunday. Authorities said the inflow would decrease in the coming days if the rain subsided.

The flow through the various schemes connected with Idukki, viz. Azhutha, Irattayar, Narakakkanam, Koottiyar, etc., remained vigorous during the past 24 hours.

Idukki District Collector K. Sasidhara has convened an emergency meeting of the officials concerned on Monday to review the situation arising out of the unprecedented increase in water level in the reservoir. Officials of KSEB, Revenue, Police, and Forest Departments will attend the meeting. The step to be taken in connection with the opening of the reservoir, including rehabilitation of people living on the banks of the Periyar and those living near the dam, will be finalised at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the authorities have increased power generation at Idukki to 4.1 million units.

The KSEB reopened the Kochu Pampa dam of the Sabarigiri hydro-electric project in Pathanamthitta at 6.20 p.m. on Sunday following heavy inflow into the reservoir. The shutters were earlier closed at 3.30 p.m. on Sunday

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