Leak at Sengulam powerhouse’ surge tank

ADIMALY: There occurred a leak at the surge tank of the penstock pipe generating power at the Sengulam power house. The leak was found at the surge tank of 40 feet height and 30 metre diameter located near Vellathooval. The leak was formed in many places of the tank. Following the incident, KSEB officials reached the spot and conducted an examination.

Water reaches this tank from Sengulam dam through a tunnel for producing power at the Sengulam Powerhouse located at Vellathooval. Water collected from Mattupetty and the Ramaswamy head works dam in Munnar will reach Pallivasal hydroelectric project via penstock. After the production of electricity, it will be pumped and first reach Sengulam dam and then to Sengulam Power House.

Surge tank of 60-year-old is the part including safety valve for adjusting pressure of the water during production. The tank is situated in the middle of the dam and the power house.

The pipe lines were installed in the 1950s. There are 364 joints between the Sengulam dam and Panniyar Power house. The pipeline is constructed using 82 bolts and 82 beats in each joint. The beats are all rusted as no maintenance work was done and this led to the increase in the leak.

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