Kallarkutty and Mullaperiyar dams opened following heavy rains
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Idukki: Heavy overnight rain caused extensive damage across Idukki district on Friday, leading to flash floods, mudslides, and the opening of major dams.
Authorities said continuous rainfall battered areas including Thodupuzha, Idukki, Nedumkandam, and Kumily, submerging low-lying regions and disrupting traffic on important routes. Several homes in Koottar, Third Camp, Mundiyeruma, Thookkupalam, Thannimood, and Kallar were inundated as floodwaters rose.
In Kumily, rescue teams evacuated residents from waterlogged houses to safer places. Officials noted that five members of a family — identified as Mini, Devi, and three children aged nine, four, and one — were rescued after being trapped inside their home.
Around 42 families were also temporarily relocated to a nearby dormitory building as a safety measure. However, once the rainfall subsided on Saturday morning, most of them returned to their homes, TNIE reported.
In Nedumkandam, the Koottar river overflowed, sweeping away several vehicles parked near an SBI Bank, including a traveller van and multiple cars. Several major roads — such as the Kumily–Murikkady–Vellaramkunnu, Anakkara–Puttady, and Kattappana–Kumily stretches — were blocked after trees were uprooted, while traffic on the Kumily–Cumbum route was brought to a halt.
Authorities at the Mullaperiyar Dam confirmed that three shutters were raised by 75 centimetres at 9 a.m. on Saturday, releasing 1,063 cusecs of water. The reservoir level stood at 138.25 feet, with an inflow of 15,400 cusecs.
Similarly, four shutters of the Kallarkutty Dam were opened early Saturday after water levels rose beyond 824.5 metres. According to the District Disaster Management Authority, the shutters were lifted by 60 centimetres, releasing 160 cubic metres of water per second.
Officials issued a high alert for downstream areas and urged residents along riverbanks to remain cautious and avoid flooded regions. The Disaster Management Authority instructed local bodies, police, and fire and rescue teams to stay on standby for emergency evacuations if water levels continued to rise.