Idukki dam's two shutters will be opened due to rising water levels, says Kerala Minister

Idukki dam, one of the highest arch dams in Asia, would be opened on Tuesday morning based on the state’s past experiences and in order to allay people’s concerns, state water resources minister Roshy Augustine said on Monday. The minister announced opening of the dam, constructed across the Periyar river, following the Idukki district administration issuing a red alert at 6.00 PM 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.

“In view of the rising water levels of Idukki dam, it has been decided to open two of its shutters by 50 centimeters to let out 100 cubic metre per second (100 cumecs) of water flow.

“The decision 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,” the minister said in a state government release.

Besides, the expected opening of the Idukki dam, the dams at Sholayar on Chalakudy river and Kakki on Kaki river have already been opened and the ones at Idamalayar in Ernakulam and Pampa in Pathanamthitta are scheduled to be opened on Tuesday morning, the state government has announced.

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