Kerala rainfall deaths at 28; red alert in 10 dams
text_fieldsAs rain continues to pound away at parts of Kerala, the death toll due to the heavy downpour has risen to 28, while a red alert has been issued for ten dams across the state due to rising water levels. Two of the shutters of the Kakki dam have been raised while the Sholayur dam was opened at 10 on Monday morning. Water levels are expected to rise in Chalakudy by evening due to this. A warning has been issued to all residents living on the banks of or near the Chalakudy river.
An orange alert has been put in place for the Idukki dam since 7 in the morning as water levels have risen to 2396.86 m or 92.8% of its total water capacity. If the levels rise one more meter to 2397.86 ft then a red alert will be enforced.
Dam levels have risen due to incessant rainfall in catchment areas. Mullaperiyar dam has seen water levels rise above 133 ft while in Ernakulam, the Idamalayar dam has been put on blue alert.
The Pamba dam in Pathanamthitta has declared a state of orange alert after water levels reached 983.50 m. The maximum capacity of the dam is 996.33 m. Due to rising water levels and the forecast of rain, residents living near the banks of rivers have been warned to stay alert to flooding by district authorities. The Anathodu dam has been opened as of 11 this morning, with the Thenmala dam in Kollam set to have its shutters opened as well.