Reservoirs brim over, raise hopes of higher power output

INDORE: Nonstop rain during last 48 hours has brought cheers to state as major reservoirs are brimming, with most rivers in spate and helping optimal generation of electricity through the hydro electric projects. Water levels have drastically risen in Omkareshwar and Indira Sagar dams among others.
A coal shortage has crippled power generation in NTPC's Vindyachal project and other thermal power projects in the state while a fall in water levels at reservoirs owing to delayed monsoon had affected generation from hydro electric projects that left state government authorities troubled over the past month.According to data from state's water resources department majority reservoirs are already 95% full.
Omkareshwar dam at Khargone, used to generate hydro electricity, also supplied to small pockets of Indore, is about 96% full with good rain in nearby areas. Water level recorded in the dam was 189 meters on Wednesday. Similarly, water level in Indira Sagar reservoir in Punasa, Khandwa on Narmada River stood at 249.26 meters accounting for 95% of total capacity (262.13 meters) of the reservoir. Officials said they hope these reservoirs would attain full reservoir level (FRL) by Thursday morning if the rain continues overnight. "Water levels across all reservoirs have risen in the last two days and we are hopeful that they will be overflowing if rain continues," said water resource department senior engineer N N Gandhi. Water level at Raisen (Barna reservoir), Balaghat (Rajeev Sagar), Vidisha (Halali reservoir) and Bhopal (Kervan) had crossed the 99% of the total capacity mark by the end of Wednesday evening.
While others including Tawa, Bansagar, Gandhi sagar and others were 98% filled. The water level of Narmada River at Mortakka (near Indore) rose from 153 meters recorded last week to 157 meters on Wednesday.