Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala opened the Idukki dam, Kakki and Pampa dams on Tuesday as heavy downpours are forecast, The Indian Express reported. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy rain for three days starting from October 20. The government this time apparently does not want to see a repeat of the devastating flood of 2018 when it delayed a decision to release water from various dams, including the Idukki reservoir.
Idukki dam was opened at 11 am, while Idamalayar, a dam downstream, opened at 6 am. Two shutters of the Idukki dam were raised by 50 cm, releasing one lakh litres of water per second. The water level is to be maintained between 2395 and 2396 ft, while full storage is 2403 ft.
The government has alerted areas downstream Idukki dam, including areas of Kochi. Evacuation of families residing in flood-prone areas has begun. All tourist centres, including Munnar, has been closed.
Evacuation started in the Kuttanad region as the water level will rise following the opening of the Kakki dam in the Pathanamthitta district. Pampa dam in the district was opened on Tuesday morning. Chengannur, Pandanad and Thiruvandoor are under constant vigil as the places were hit harshly by the 2018 floods.
In Thrissur, people were evacuated in low-lying areas along the Chalakudy river basin after opening Sholayar, Peringalkuthu and Parambikulam dams.
Fishermen have joined rescue operations with the teams of NDRF. The government informed that twenty-three groups of fishermen joined, and service of more will be ensured. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the number of relief camps had been increased to 240.
Meanwhile, NDRF and Navy recovered two more bodies, left by landslides and flash floods, in the Idukki district on Monday. Death toll in the state out of heavy showers reached 38 on Monday, since October 12, the state disaster management authority informed.