Dams near full, Karnataka, city may not face power cuts

Bengaluru: The hydel power generation in the state is normal and this year again the state and city may not face a shortage of power.

An official from Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd said that once excess water from the dams is released hydel power generation will be increased. “For now, major reservoirs like Linganamakki, Supa and Mani are almost full and we will observe the situation in the coming days. Last year too, there was sufficient rain and the dams were almost full, and the power shortage was not severe. This year, we still can’t confirm whether there will be enough power generation or a shortage taking into consideration the current situation, which is still being observed.”

According to a report from Karnataka Power Corporation Limited, Linganamakki dam’s full reservoir level in is 1,819 ft and as of August 15, it had reached 1,812 ft, Supa dam in Uttara Karnataka has the full reservoir level of 1,849 ft and its present level is 1,840 ft and Mani dam on the Varahi river has the full reservoir level at 1,949 ft and as of August 15, it had reached 1,921 ft.

The official said that the three major dams are nearly full. “The levels will be observed in the coming days and we will also keep a check on the rainfall,” he said.

Asked whether this would mean that Bengaluru will not face any power shortage, he said, “We cannot confirm it right away, as we have to check the power pool level and accumulation of power from all sources.”

An FKCCI member told Deccan Chronicle, “Bescom will have approved power allocation, where they purchase power from KPCL. We cannot say how much of it will be from hydel sources will, as power from all sources is pooled. It is too early to say whether there will be power shortage or surplus.”

According to KPCL, as on Wednesday, energy generated in Linganamakki dam was 3,956 million units (MU), Supa dam 2,927 MU and Mani dam 528 MU.