Opening of Idukki shutters inevitable, says MM Mani

Opening of Idukki shutters inevitable, says MM Mani

Thiruvananthapuram: Power minister M M Mani said on Wednesday that the opening of the shutters of the Idukki dam was inevitable. He made the statement soon after the Cabinet meeting. “All the five shutters will not be opened in one go. It will be done in a phased manner,” the minister said.

The water level in Idukki dam has now risen to 730 metres, just two metres short of the full reservoir level of 732 metres or 2,400 feet (approx). Sources said the minister had conveyed to the Cabinet the assessment of the KSEB, which was that the shutters need to be opened only if the level touches 732 metres. A team led by deputy chief engineer Baburaj had visited the dam site on July 31, and had examined the extent of seepage in both Cheruthoni and Idukki dams. The team had reported that perhaps there would be no need to open the shutters as the inflow into the reservoir had reduced. From 58.75 million units on July 27, it had come down to 32.48 mu on July 31.

The minister also told the Cabinet that the rate of increase in water level had reduced considerably. If it took just a day for the level to rise one metre (3.28 feet) each on July 26 and 27 - from 727 to 728 and then to 729 - it took another four days for the level to increase another metre. However, the Cabinet decided to keep the option open as the present level was dangerously close to the full reservoir level.

It was from July 24 that the inflow into the Idukki reservoir turned abundant. From zero inflow on July 23, it swelled to 32.76 million units the next day. However, KSEB could use up just 8.8 mu that day. From then on, all but one of its six generators were put to full use; during July 30 and 31 touching its maximum capacity of 15 mu of power. One of the generators at the plant is now under repair.

The power minister said that all precautionary steps had been taken. “We will open the dam only after informing the public well in advance,” Mani said.

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.