Kerala government has opened two shutters of Idamalayar dam in Ernakulam district and Pampa dam in Pathanamthitta on Tuesday morning.
The decision was taken after the catchment areas of these dams continued to receive heavy rainfall over the past few days.
The two shutters of Idamalayar dam were raised by 80 cm at 6 am, while Pampa dam gates were opened by 30 cm. Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta district administrations have sound alert along the Periyar and Pampa rivers.
Water minister Roshy Augustine said on Monday that water level in Idukki dam reached 2,396.86 feet at 7am on Monday and there is a possibility it would breach the upper limit of 2,398.86 feet by Tuesday. “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 of water flow,” said the minister.
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“The decision is based on past experience and was meant to allay people’s concerns,” Augustine added. The Idukki dam is designed to hold 2,403 feet of water.
Ernakulam district collector Jafar Malik said yesterday that two shutters of Idamalayar dam will be opened by 80 centimetres each on Tuesday. “Due to this, no significant change in the water level of the Periyar river is expected,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the people living on the surrounding areas of the dams to stay vigilant. It was decided to open the floodgates of the three dams according to the recommendation of the committee appointed by the government to monitor the water level in dams.
Warning was issued for the public ahead of opening the dams. Action to shift the people to safe locations are progressing. The chief minister requested the public to follow the instructions of the authorities and be extra cautious.
Currently, 240 relief camps have been opened across the state. A total of 9081 people belonging to 2541 families are staying in the camps. The chief minister added that the authorities have been directed to ensure all amenities in the relief camps.
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