Ooty: In the earlier part of the southwest monsoon this year, the good rains lent a helping hand to pep up hydro-power generation in the 12 hydro-electric stations in Nilgiris that produced up to one croreunits of electricity per day with good inflows of water.
But, the August spell of the SW monsoon rains which turned very heavylast week, forced the administration to open Avalanchee and Emerald dams that in turn played havoc with the hydro power generation as silt being carried by the run-off waters hindered power generation.
Tangedco sources said that the heavy silt and other debris that was deposited in the Kundah reservoir, impeded flow of good water to the Geddai and Parali hydro power stations.
Hence, hydro-electric generation up to 350 MW per day could not be carried out for nearly six days in the Independence Day week in Geddai and Parali. Only after clearing the mess, the hydel power generation could be revived in these two hydro power stations since Tuesday night, sources maintained.
V. Sivadass
However, Mr V. Sivadass, managing trustee of the Nilgiris Environment and Socio-cultural Trust, suggested that steps should be taken for a coordinated effort from the electricity, agri-engineering, revenue and forest department to evolve mechanisms to control soil-erosion along the water courses and silt-control measures at wanton points.
“Unplanned landscaping in farmlands along the slopes and encroachments along the water streams are the main reason for silt deposition. These causative factors are needed to be addressed and fixed to pave way for hitch free hydro power generation during rains”, he stressed.
