Kerala to open three dams on Tuesday as IMD predicts more rains

Following incessant rains that caused landslides and flash floods, the Kerala government has decided to open shutters of Idukki, Pamba and Idamalayar dams on Tuesday morning.

While Pamba and Idamalayar dams will be opened at 5 am and 6 am respectively, Idukki dam, one of the highest arch dams in Asia, will be opened at 11 am.

Idukki district administration has issued a red alert, stating that due to the increase in the dam's water level—which had reached 2,396.86 feet at 7.00 am on Monday—there was a possibility it would breach the upper limit of 2,398.86 feet by Tuesday 7.00 am and therefore, people need to be alert.

One shutter of the Idukki dam, constructed across the Periyar river, will be lifted by 100 cm while two other shutters by 50 cm. Once the three shutters are opened, the dam will release around one lakh litter of water in a second.

Weathermen has predicted heavy rainfall in the state from October 20 which might worsen the situation if some water is not released now, the government said.

"The decision (to open Idukki dam) has been taken to control the water level of the dam at 2,395-2,396 feet in the wake of a warning from the Central Meteorological Department that there would be heavy rains in the coming days. The decision was also based on past experience and was meant to allay people's concerns," said state Water Minister Roshy Augustine.

Dams at Sholayar on Chalakudy river and Kakki on Kaki river have already been opened.

Opening of dams might bring back the haunting memories of the 2018 floods, to its survivors, when most of the dams in the state were opened to release water amid heavy rains which led to widespread flooding and landslides resulting in loss of life and property across the state. 

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a review meeting to assess the situation with regard to the rainfall and water levels of various dams in the state. Vijayan asked people living on the banks of rivers, whose dams are being opened, to be more cautious and take necessary precautions.

Meanwhile, the death toll in landslides and flash floods in the south-central districts since October 12 has gone up to 38. This includes 13 people who died in a major landslide at Koottickal in Kottayam district.

As per the reports of the State Disaster Management Authority, at least 90 houses have been destroyed while 702 houses were partially damaged. 

With PTI inputs