Idukki/Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: With heavy rains lashing various parts of Kerala since Saturday night, several roads were submerged by Sunday morning.
The weather department has issued a red alert in Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts on Sunday indicating very heavy rains in parts of these districts.
A shutter of the Idukki dam was opened at 2pm on Sunday. It is also likely that the Mullaperiyar dam shutters will be raised if rain continues as the water-level is rising in its catchment area, the authorities said. Following this, the Idukki districts administration has asked people living on the banks of Periyar river to be vigilant.
Currently, the water-level in the Mullaperiyar dam is 140 feet. Subsequently, the volume of water being diverted to Tamil Nadu has been increased to 900 cubic ft.
"There is no need for a red alert in Idukki dam, but we are opened the shutter at 2pm on Sunday to keep the situation under control," Kerala Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine said on Sunday.
"At least 40,000 litre of water will be released from the dam. People along the banks of Periyar river must be vigilant," he added.
Heavy rains caused water-logging, landslips and disruption of train service in southern parts of Kerala on Sunday, prompting authorities to sound extreme caution in hilly areas, river sides and tourist centres.