Lower Camp power generation suspended as water flow halts

Idukki: Following severe summer heat and drying up of Thekkady Lake, the water flow from Mullaperiyar dam to Tamil Nadu through penstock has come to a halt. As a result, power generation at Lower Camp Periyar Hydel Power Project, which relies on water from Mullaperiyar dam, has also been suspended.Lower Camp power station has four generators, each with a capacity to produce 42MW per hour. Maintenance work has started on the generators and penstock. There are four penstock pipes, each capable of carrying 400 cubic feet of water required to operate the four generators. Power generation can resume only when water level in Mullaperiyar dam rises during monsoon and sufficient flow through penstocks resumes. At full capacity, the Lower Camp station produces 168MW per hour. At present, water level in Mullaperiyar dam has dropped to 109 feet, whereas in previous years it used to remain above 115 feet during this period.This is one of the worst summers faced by both Thekkady Lake and Mullaperiyar dam in the past one-and-a-half decades. Until April 17, around 200 cubic feet of water was being released through the penstock, but the intensity of summer caused a rapid depletion.Power generation continued at around 23MW until April 11, but it ceases when the water flow drops below 200 cubic feet. Electricity generated at the Lower Camp station supplies power to four districts in Tamil Nadu — Theni, Madurai, Dindigul and Tirunelveli — supporting industrial operations in these regions. With adverse climatic conditions in Kerala, Tamil Nadu may also face severe water shortages.Despite the dipping water levels and drying lake, water is still being released to Tamil Nadu for drinking purposes through the Iratchilpalam Canal. However, the release is likely to worsen the drought situation in Thekkady. The release of water through the canal is also aimed at filling ponds and check dams in Theni district ahead of the Veerapandi festival.Officials stated that it is regular to stop power generation and carry out maintenance work in the penstock and power station when water flow decreases in April and May. This was confirmed by Rajagopal, Assistant Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Irrigation Department in charge of Mullaperiyar.