KSEB pins hopes on regular monsoon to keep up water stage in dams operated by it in Kerala

By Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the state on the lookout for a traditional monsoon season after a report pre-monsoon showers, KSEB which owns round 60 dams is engaged on sustaining the particular water ranges in them and the emergency motion plan. Though the state obtained 108 per cent extra pre-monsoon rainfall, the best within the final 50 years, KSEB, which manages many of the huge dams within the state, is of the view that there is no such thing as a must launch water from reservoirs now anticipating heavy rain within the following days.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, board chairman N S Pillai stated although the dams had good influx following the pre-monsoon showers, the water ranges in all reservoirs are nicely beneath the height storage capability. Of the board’s 60 dams, principally the water launch from Edamalayar, Idukki, Banasura, Sholayar and Kakki (Anathodu) dams has a direct bearing on the flood scenario within the state.

Except for Kakki, the water stage within the 4 different dams is considerably low. As on May 31, the water stage in Idukki dam was 37% of its storage capability, 27% in Edamalayar, 11% in Banasura and 26% in Sholayar, whereas Kakki dam had 46% water.

“Since only a normal monsoon has been forecast, there is no need to empty water from dams anticipating an aberration in climate. In case of any sudden extreme heavy rainfall, KSEB has emergency action plans and rule curves (specific levels to be maintained in each reservoir at different times in a year) to avoid worsening of the situation,” Pillai stated. The Irrigation Department, which controls 10 dams, has been releasing water in a managed method following the heavy pre-monsoon rain this yr.  

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department confirmed that the pre-monsoon (March-April-May) rainfall in Kerala was the best within the final 50 years (1972-2021) and fourth highest within the final 100 years (1922-2021). But this doesn’t suggest that Kerala will get an analogous extra rainfall within the Southwest Monsoon season as nicely. The IMD, in its newest up to date long-range forecast, maintained that the southern peninsula consisting of Kerala is more likely to obtain 93-107 per cent rainfall and the seasonal rainfall is more likely to be nicely distributed spatially.

However, in 2019 and 2020, the IMD had forecast regular rains however the state ended up with getting 110% and 109% of the long-period common rainfall. “We prepare our action plans based on the forecast of IMD, but there are times when surplus rain is not evenly distributed in different periods and places. The 2018 flood was one such scenario. However, we are hopeful of maintaining the water levels in dams safely and effectively,” stated Pillai.