Power generation at the Moolamattom power house has steadily risen in the wake of the increased inflow into the Idukki reservoir following incessant rain.
With the catchment area receiving record rainfall for the month, the reservoir is expected to reach its highest level during the monsoon season soon. In a normal season, the water level usually reaches a high by September/October, but the good rainfall so far will stand the State in good stead for the power-guzzling summer season.
Though the dam water is reserved for producing electricity during the summer season, the State is focussing on maximum power generation keeping the storage level intact. The water level on Saturday increased to 2,383.64 ft from Friday’s 2,382.26 ft.
An official at the Dam Monitoring and Research Station, Vazhathoppe, told The Hindu that the water level in the dam was at 77.8% of its capacity now.
In case water was released into the Periyar from the Mullaperiyar dam if the water level reached the maximum level of 142 ft, the government planned to utilise the water for maximum power generation without affecting the storage level in Idukki. The power generation was increased to 10.046 mu on Saturday, which was above 8 mu on Friday.