Machkund hydel project turbines inundated

Koraput: Power generation at Machkund hydel project in Koraput district was halted on Monday after floodwaters entered the turbines.
Heavy rainfall, triggered by a depression over the Bay of Bengal since Friday night, led to water levels rising in the Jolaput reservoir and surrounding areas. Officials said that despite opening five gates to release excess water, the reservoir level was at 2,746.60 ft on Monday, just shy of its 2,750-ft capacity.The overflow caused backwaters to flood the D-dam of the project.
“Four gates of the D-dam were opened to release the floodwaters, but as the water level in Jolaput reservoir kept rising, it began entering the turbines. We had to stop power generation to avoid short-circuit,” said Kureshu Pradhan, assistant engineer, Machkund project.
Shutdown of the hydel project has resulted in a loss of 80MW of power generation per hour. Pradhan said water entering the turbines had washed away the lubricant, making it difficult to predict when operations could resume.
Koraput district received 925 mm of rainfall till Monday morning, with Kundura, Borigumma, Kotpad and Boipariguda blocks the worst-hit. The district administration has evacuated 70 residents from Kundura and Borigumma to safer locations.