Karnataka’s major hydel reservoirs get double storage than last year due to early monsoon

The early onset of monsoon and vigorous rainfall in the Malnad region in the last couple of weeks have resulted in Karnataka’s major hydel reservoirs reporting storage which is double of that during the corresponding period in the previous year.

The cumulative storage in all three major hydel reservoirs of the State — Linganamakki, Supa, and Mani — accounted for 28.62% of the full capacity at 8 a.m. on June 19 as against 13.79% during the corresponding period last year.

The present storage can help generate 2,487 million units (MU) of power as against the storage level during the corresponding period last year which could have generated just 1,198 million units, as per the data available with the Energy Department.

Carry forward

Apart from the early onset of monsoon, the reservoirs have carried forward a sizeable quantum of storage from the previous water year which is evident by the fact that these reservoirs had a cumulative storage that could help generate 2,212 MUs of power by the middle of May as against the previous year’s storage level that could generate 1,433 MUs.

However, the data indicates that the early onset of monsoon has significantly contributed to the increase in storage. Generally, the hydel reservoirs would start getting good inflow sometime from the third week of June as the southwest monsoon would normally enter the State at the end of the first week of June or in the second week of June. But this time, the monsoon entered the State nearly 10 days ahead.

The monsoon remained vigorous, with the State witnessing a 124-year-old record rainfall in May. The State received a total rainfall of 218.7 mm during May as against the normal of 73.6 mm. In May alone, all three hydel reservoirs got a cumulative inflow that could help generate 338.65 MUs of power as against the inflow equivalent of 34.93 MUs during the corresponding period last year.

The inflow has further increased in June, with the cumulative inflow from June 1 to 19 touching an equivalent of 766.53 MUs as against 122.918 MUs during the previous year.

Where they currently stand

The break-up of the present hydel storage shows that the water level at Linganamakki, which is built across the Sharavati in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district, has touched 1,772 ft as against the previous year’s level of 1,744.9 ft and the maximum level of 1,819 ft. Presently, the reservoir has been receiving inflow at the rate of 22,905 cusecs. The inflow to this reservoir during the corresponding period of previous year was at 1,369 cusecs.

Supa dam, built across the Kali near Ganeshgudi in Uttara Kannada district, has a water level of 531.34 m as against the previous year’s 525.99 m and the full reservoir level of 564 m. The dam is witnessing an inflow at the rate of 12,011 cusecs as against last year’s 1,873 cusecs.

Mani dam, built across the Varahi river in Hosanagar taluk of Shivamogga district, has a water level of 580.13 m as against the previous year’s level of 571.82 m and full reservoir level of 594 m. The inflow to this reservoir is at 2,028 cusecs as against the previous year’s rate of 425 cusecs.

Hydel’s key role

Officials in the Energy Department point out that there is still a long way to go as the hydel storage needs to reach its full potential. But the forecast of good rainfall has made them hopeful. They say healthy hydel storage would go a long way in effective management of the peak-hour power supply in the State and also make power supply economical.