The nearing monsoon and intensifying summer rains have increased concerns regarding the water level in the dams in Kerala. Various environment organisations and experts approached the government requesting to reduce water level in dams including Idukki dam urgently. In a letter forwarded to the chief secretary, they have requested to start the activities in view of a flood havoc and for a government-level intervention to reduce water level in Tamil Nadu dams to which Kerala dams are opened.
Expecting monsoon, the water level in dams is reduced to 10 percent by the end of May. The water level in Idukki and some other dams remains higher than normal at present. According to the statistics till April 30, this water can be used to produce upto 165.7 crore units of electricity. It is expected that water to produce upto 13 crore units of power also will reach the dams through summer rain by the end of May. If monsoon is delayed, water to produce only 70 crore units of power need to be stored in the dams for June. So, the present water level in the dam is higher than required.
At present, Idukki dam alone contains 43 percent water and Moolamattam power house currently produces 80 lakh units of electricity. If this condition persists, 35 percent water will remain in Idukki by the end of May. On May 31, 2018, there was 25 percent water in Idukki dam and this rose to 95 percent in July. Government should intervene to reduce the water level in Mullaperiyar, Parambikkulam and Upper Sholayar dams which are controlled by Tamil Nadu, but open to Kerala. If Tamil Nadu is not willing to reduce the water level, Kerala should approach the supreme court, the letter states.
All Kerala River Protection Council president Dr S Seetharaman, Energy Conservation Society president Dr K Soman, CUSAT Radar Centre Associate Director Dr S Abhilash, Chalakkudi River Conservation Committee secretary S P Ravi, Thrissur River Research Centre staff S Unnikrishnan, Muvvattupuzha River Protection Committee member Dr Shaju Thomas, Cherpulassery Puzha organisation member Nibha Namboothiri, Meenachil River Protection committee secretary Aby Emmanuel and others jointly requested the state government to take action in this matter.
By Sisel Soman – COO
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