Rains hit coal reserves in Andhra Pradesh

 

Hyderabad: Following the two recent cyclones, coal transportation to power plants have been hit and coal reserves have gone down, which will adversely affect power generation.

 

Despite an above average monsoon hydel reserves will deplete as a result, say sources. Thermal generation in the state has come down by 15 MU per day due to the aftereffects of the cyclones.

 

While Cyclone Phailin had completely derailed coal transportation from Odisha’s Mahanadi Coal fields to the state, the subsequent cyclones, Helen and Lehar, have ensured that the problem persists.

 

“There are constraints in coal supply to power projects due to restoration works after the havoc of the three cyclones. While transportation through rail and roadways has been restored partially, the coal stocks at most projects have dwindled by 20 to 30 per cent. In order to get the allocated quota of power to Andhra Pradesh from Central Generating Stations, the CS has specifically requested authorities of NTPC and Talcher coal fields to resolve the coal crisis caused by transport problem,” said an official.

 

Meanwhile, the energy department has advised preserving maximum amount of water so that it can be utilised during summer. 

 

While inflows have been very good this year, hydel generation, which was being targeted to be used only for emergency purposes, has been put to use extensively.

 

Hydel generation has crossed 5,000 MU from April to November this year as against 2,000 MU during the same period last year.

 

 

Visakhapatnam: A low pressure area has formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood, and weathermen predict that the system is likely to become well marked in the next 48 hours.

 

Rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, but Telangana will be mainly dry. 

 

Rain occurred at isolated places in Guntur, West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Nellore in the last 24 hours.

 

 

Hyderabad:  The state has received 21 per cent excess rainfall resulting in a rise of ground water levels by up to 2 metres in the current water year 2013-14 up to October.

 

The average ground water level for the state stands at 8.69 m, as against 6.69 m last year, according to the department of ground water.

 

During the year, 12 districts received excess rainfall and another 11 received normal rains. Coastal Andhra regions received 15 per cent excess rainfall as compared to the 7 per cent excess during the previous year. 

 

The Rayalaseema region received four per cent excess rains. It was 17 per cent deficit during the same period in the previous year.

 

The department stated that this year, the Telangana region witnessed 31?per cent excess rainfall against the normal; it was 2 per cent deficit last year.

 

This resulted in an increase of 2.44 m in the ground water levels.

 

According to the report prepared by the ground water department, a fall in the water level was observed only in Nellore district.