Thiruvananthapuram: With the northeast monsoon or the 'thulavarsham' just around the corner, the government is in two minds on reducing water level in the reservoirs.
Major water reservoirs managed by the electricity and irrigation departments are currently carrying more than 80% of their capacity. In some cases, it is more than 90%.
Even though many dams, including the Idukki dam, get 40% of their water during the northeast monsoon, the government is yet to reduce the current water level.
Officials say that they are waiting for the forecast of the India Meteorological Department on the likely intensity of the rains before taking a decision.
The northeast monsoon is expected to hit Kerala by October 1. The Met department's forecasts arrive by the middle of September itself, but has been delayed this year.
The Met department is expecting that the northeast monsoon is likely only by the middle of October.
In the three months from October to December, Kerala gets an average of 480 mm of rainfall. A major part of this is received in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.
Last year districts like Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Ernakulam received more than average rainfall. This time too if the northeast monsoon is strong, water will have to be released on a large scale.
In August, when rain strengthened beyond forecasts, shutters of the dams had to be opened to release water.
Officials say that they are not releasing water as they fear that the northeast monsoon may play truant. If water is released now and the rainfall is poor, the summer season could face severe water shortage.
