Kottayam/Idukki: With water levels rising due to heavy rains in the catchment areas, a red alert was issued in respect of 10 dams in Kerala, two shutters of Kakki dam here were opened and pilgrimage to Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala has been put on hold for now.
The death toll in incidents related to heavy rains, including landslides and flash floods in Kerala rose to 27 on Monday. Kottayam reported most deaths, 14, while Idukki reported 10, 2 in Thiruvananthapuram and one in Kozhikode. This is the worst case of rain-related damage ever recorded in Kottayam. The bodies of all the 14 persons reported missing following a landslide in Koottickal panchayat in Kottayam has been retrieved.
Body of Nahardeep Mandal, a Jharkhand native who went missing in the Amayizhanjan Thodu in Thiruvananthapuram, was found on Monday.
On Saturday, a car with two people - Nikhil and Nima - was swept away by the gushing waters at Arakkulam near Thodupuzha. A few hours later, their dead bodies were retrieved by the locals.
Opening of dams
With water level in the Idukki reservoir, one of the highest arch dams in Asia, having risen to 2,397.34 feet Monday, an Orange alert has been sounded. The full reservoir level of Idukki dam is 2,403 feet. Idukki district authorities have asked those who live near the dam to keep vigil.
Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine said that the shutters of the dam are likely to be lifted at 11am on Tuesday. Idamalayar, Peppara, and Pamba dams will also be opened on Tuesday.
Red alert has been declared for 10 dams, which include, Kakki, Sholayar, Moozhiyar, Kundala, Kallarkutty, Irattar, Lower Periyar, Peringalkuthu, Ponmudi and Peechi, most of which are located in Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Thrissur districts of the state.
The IMD warned of moderate to heavy rainfall across Kerala till Friday.
Yellow alert has been announced for the following districts:
October 20: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
October 21: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad
October 22: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur
Sabarimala pilgrimage put on hold
In view of the expected worsening of the weather from October 20 till October 24, according to IMD information, they said it would not be possible to permit pilgrimage to the Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala for the Thula Masa Poojas for which the shrine had been opened from October 16.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had convened an emergency meeting to discuss the flood situation in the state on Monday. The meeting comprising of Chief Secretary, Ministers and SDMA members discussed the opening of dam shutters and relief work.
The decision to open dams will be taken by an expert committee appointed the state, the Kerala CM informed after the meeting. The expert committee should arrive at the decision based on the water levels.
People residing in areas prone to landslides and flash floods must be moved to relief camps.
In light of the situation, the date of reopening colleges was extended to October 25.
Meanwhile, the state government has appointed ADGP Vijay Sakhare as the nodal officer to coordinate the rescue and relief operations.
Helpline numbers
The authorities have asked the public to use helpline numbers 1912 (KSEB control room) and 1077 (District Disaster Control Authority) about any accidents that were caused due to the uprooting of trees or falling of electric lines.
A 24-hour district management room has been opened in Thrissur - 9400066921, 9400066922, 9400066925.