Moolamattom Power Plant Closed; Water Supply to Four Districts Disrupted for a Month
Idukki: The Moolamattom hydroelectric power plant in Idukki has been shut down for a month starting Wednesday for essential maintenance work. This closure is expected to disrupt the drinking water supply to four districts for the entire month. However, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has assured the public that despite the halt in power generation, the state will not face an electricity crisis.
The operation of all six generators at the Moolamattom power plant was ceased last night around 9 PM. Following this, the shutter of the intake valve at Kulamavu was closed. After operating one generator at 2 AM to drain the water from the penstock, the comprehensive maintenance work officially commenced today at 9 AM. The primary reason for this shutdown is the critical maintenance of the upstream seals of generators 5 and 6. Authorities anticipate that the entire repair process will take approximately one month to complete.
The closure of the power plant is projected to have significant adverse effects on drinking water supply schemes across four districts. Residents of Thodupuzha town and seven nearby panchayats, along with various regions in Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Alappuzha districts, are likely to experience severe drinking water shortages during this period. The Water Authority has specifically notified that water supply may be disrupted in 18 panchayats and the Cherthala Municipality within the Cherthala taluk of Alappuzha district.
Furthermore, there is a strong possibility that the water level in the Muvattupuzha River will drop significantly due to the power plant’s shutdown. Consequently, areas in the Vaikom region of Kottayam district and various other localities in Ernakulam, which heavily rely on the Muvattupuzha River for their water needs, may also face interruptions in their drinking water supply.