Augmentation schemes increase inflow: Kerala state electricity board

IDUKKI: The Idukki Dam augmentation schemes have helped to increase the inflow into the reservoir, according to KSEB officials. They said in the new water year, within 48 days, the reservoir received extra inflow worth Rs 210 crore (based on expected power generation from 1mcm (million cubic meters) of water) compared to 2019.

Compared to the previous year, the rainfall was less this year in the catchment areas of the Idukki reservoir, but the storage levels rose due to the stream flow augmentation schemes that were done before the arrival of the monsoon.

A KSEB dam safety official said during June 1 to July 18 in 2019, the reservoir received 0.25mcm water from one mm rainfall in the catchment areas of the Idukki reservoir. "But in 2022, after clearing Kallar, Erattayar, the inflow into the reservoir doubled to 0.52mcm per mm rainfall," said the official.

As per the data, in 2019,from June 1 to July 18, the catchments areas received 368.477mm rainfall while the inflow was 93.77mcm. In 2020, the regions received 517.26mm rainfall and the inflow was 188.93mcm. In 2021, the figures were 1056.3mm and 519.53mcm respectively while in 2022, they were 1031mm and 539.4mcm.

"The removal of mud and other wastes from the streams from small reservoirs helped in increasing the inflow. The augmentation schemes would also ensure that small dams do not overflow,” said the official.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Idukki reservoir reached 2,370.24ft on Thursday.