Idukki dam level rises marginally as rains lash Kerala

Idukki Dam The Idukki Dam | Aravind Bala

The water level in the Idukki reservoir in Kerala touched 2,395.88 feet at 10 am on August 1. Authorities have said that there was no need to panic and that the opening of shutters will be decided based on the intensity of the rain and inçux of water into the reservoir.

On July 31, minister for water resources, Mathew T Thomas said that the current situation of the Idukki dam did not warrant a trial run. Water level was rising by only .02 ft per hour. That means in 17 hours, the water level rose by only 0.44 ft. After the water level touched 2,395 feet on the night of July 30, just eight feet short of the full level, an orange alert was issued.

Authorities have asked all those living along the banks of Periyar River to stay alert. The full reservoir level of the dam is 2,403 feet. Orange alert implies that the present condition has the capacity to significantly impact the people in the affected areas.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), however, said an orange alert does not mean that shutter operations would be done any time now. The final red alert would be issued when the water level touches 2,399 feet. In the event of opening the sluice gates of Cheruthoni dam, the water would çow through Ernakulam from Idukki, before reaching the Arabian sea.

The Kerala government has put the Army, Navy, Airforce and Coast Guard on alert to meet any eventuality in case water is released. Response teams from the National Disaster Management Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, and another team has been stationed at Idukki.