Hydro position in many reservoirs not full

BHUBANESWAR: Even as 19 districts of the state are reeling under flood, major reservoirs located in the southern and western districts are much below the full reservoir level. However, Hirakud dam is the only exception.While water level in Hirakud and Rengali reservoirs is at the desired level due to flow of flood water in the Mahanadi and Bramhani river systems, the hydro position in other three reservoirs built on the rivers of Balimela, Kolab and Indravati is much below the full reservoir level. The water level in Balimela, Kolab and Indravati was comparatively better during last year despite erratic monsoon behaviour.  As against the full reservoir level (FRL) of 642 meters, Indravati dam had 638.39 mt of water during the corresponding period last year. The present level of water in the reservoir is six meter less.  Indravati hydro power station having four units of 150 MW capacity each is the major generating station. On an average, the hydro power generating station is providing about 600 MW during the peak demand.  A comfortable water position in Indravati reservoir is desirable to meet the power scarcity situation during summer months when demand of power is much more than the availability from all sources including the State’s share from the central pool.  The hydro position in Balimela reservoir is 24 ft below the last year level during this period. While the FRL of the dam is 1516 ft, the water is 1466 ft as against last year level of 1502.70 ft. The water inflow to the reservoir is not very significant.  Balimela station has the capacity to generate 510 MW. With three of the eight units are in operation, the state is getting nearly 170 MW daily on an average.  The water position in Upper Kolab reservoir housing a hydro power station of 320 MW capacity is five meter below the last year level and  eight meter down the FRL.  The average generation from Balimela is 80 MW while the peak generation is more than 300 MW.  The hydro power stations at Burla and Rengali are now used to their capacity as water is overflowing in the two river system of Mahanadi and Brahmani. The average generation from Burla and Rengali hydro power stations is 180 MW and 190 MW respectively. However, the two stations are generating more than 450 MW during peak demand period.  The generating capacity of Burla and Chipilima is 347.5 MW  while Rengali has installed capacity  of 250 MW.