Idukki dam shutter opened, Mullaperiyar levels on the rise

A single shutter of the Idukki dam was opened shortly after 2 PM on Sunday by 40 cm, releasing an estimated 40,000 cubic litres of water per second, after heavy rains forced authorities to declare an orange alert in the area.

The decision to open the dam's shutters for the second time this year came after reports of rising water levels in the Mullaperiyar dam, which, if let out, would flow directly into the Idukki dam. The red alert water level for Idukki dam is 2399.03 m. As per the upper rule curve, the water capacity of the Idukki dam is 2400.03 ft. If rainfall strengthens, the dam shutters will be opened to release more water. Meanwhile, one of the generators of the powerhouse is under repair. The officials reported that it will be fixed by evening.

Water levels in the Mullaperiyar dam rose to 140 feet following days of heavy rains and showers that have struck Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The opening of the spillway shutters will depend on the rainfall levels in catchment areas as the dam can safely store up to 141 ft of water.

Heavy rains caused water-logging, landslips and disruption of train service in southern parts of Kerala on Sunday, prompting authorities to sound extreme caution in hilly areas, river sides and tourist centres. An orange alert was declared for seven districts in Kerala by the Indian Meteorological Department. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Kasaragod have been put on alert, subject to upgrade to red alert depending on the northeast monsoon patterns.