Providing some respite to the power-starved state, the water levels at hydel reserves have improved considerably this month giving a boost to power generation from hydel sources. Water storage levels in the state reservoirs had reached an all-time low in July with the levels at Linganamakki being at 11.74 per cent, Supa at 10.55 per cent and Mani at 15.69 per cent.
In a sign of improvement since then, the levels at these three reservoirs have risen considerably. At present, the level at Linganamakki is 48.1 per cent, Supa is at 39.8 per cent and Mani is at 54.3 per cent. “The generation momentum has seen a considerable increase. But the inflow has to increase as well so that the storage levels could meet the requirements in the summer months,” said a senior official from KPCL, adding that the inflow should steadily increase from 40,000 cusecs, which would ensure a “comfortable position”.
In the last one week, the water inflow into Linganamakki has been 40,052 cusecs from the earlier 7312 cusecs, at Supa it rose from 5485 cusecs to 20,108 and at Mani it rose from 1,544 cusecs to 6,923 cusecs. With this week bringing some cheer, KPCL has already started conserving water for the coming months. “We are not using all the water; it is being conserved for the coming months. We are saving about 30 to 40 TMC for later use. Compared to earlier weeks, the water levels are good but when compared to last year, they are low; but we will have to make do with what we have,” the official added.