Aluva/Karumalur: Water level in the Periyar river has risen for a first time after the August flood, but the authorities have allayed fears, pointing out that it is a result of increased flow from eastern hills where rains had intensified in the past few days. The Kerala Water Authority and the irrigation department termed the abrupt swell is not dangerous and hence there is no need to panic.
The river had dried up and sand beds had surfaced at several stretches, post-flood, but water has risen up 40 cm in the last two days. Between Mangalapuzha and Manjali. the water level in the river has gone up by over five feet and the flow has increased in streams around. Three shutters of Purapallikavu regulator-cum-ridge were raised the other day to regulate levels for the past two days. A rise of one more feet of water means the shutters will be entirely inundated.
Periyar had overflown into a lane near the regulator the other day.
The eastern parts of the states witnessed heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday that filled up many of the dried up streams and rivers.
"Met department has predicted heavy rain (64.4mm to 124.4mm) in the districts of Pathanamthitta, Idukki & Wayanad districts for September 25. Moreover, yellow alert has been issued for Palakkad, Idukki, Thrissur and Wayanad districts for 26th," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had tweeted.
The state had witnessed heavy rains that caused flood and landslides as monsoon intensified, especially in August. Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Wayanad districts bore the brunt of the calamity even as most parts of the state reeled under flood.
