Thiruvananthapuram: The water levels in Idukki and Mullaperiyar reservoirs are rising despite the opening of shutters.
The water level in Idukki has risen to 2,385.18 feet while the water level in Mullaperiyar dam has touched 138.75 ft.
The shutters of the Idukki dam were raised further (by 80 cm) on Monday to release more water. All ten shutters at Mullaperiyar dam were also raised by 1 metre each on Sunday to release 4,957 cumecs (cubic feet per second).
The development came in view of IMD's recent report which predicts more rain in the region.
Three shutters of the Cheruthoni dam, which is part of the Idukki reservoir, were raised by 80 cm on Sunday, releasing 150 cusecs of water.
Though no significant change in the water level in Periyar is expected, all preparations as per the Orange Book of the Disaster Management Authority have been adopted.
Caution has been sounded to those living on the banks of the Periyar river.
Ernakulam District Collector Dr Renu Raj has directed various departments to implement necessary measures to avoid any troubles and said there was no need to panic and that the situation was under control.
Banasura Sagar Dam
One shutter of the Banasura Sagar Dam, which impounds the Karamanathodu tributary of the Kabini River in Wayanad, was raised at 8 am on Monday to release excess water.
The development came after the water level here surpassed the upper rule curve level of 774 metres. The current water level in the dam is 774.20 metres.
The shutter was raised by 10 cm, Wayanad District Collector Geetha A informed.
Kakki-Anathode dam
Four shutters of the Kakki-Anathode dam were raised by 2 feet at 11 am on Monday.
According to the officials, around 100 cumecs of water will be released through the four shutters.
Once released, the water will reach Pampa Triveni within two hours via Anathode Kakkiyar.
The water level of Pampa river is likely to not see any significant rise, officials said.
However, people living on the river banks have been moved to safety.
Other dams
* A red alert was sounded at Pampa Dam on Monday. Its shutters are likely to be raised on Tuesday to release excess water.
Built upon the Pampa river in the Ranni forest area of Seethathodu Grama Panchayat in Kerala's Pathanamthitta, it is the second largest hydroelectric project in Kerala.
Pamba dam's reservoir is connected to the nearby Kakki Dam reservoir by a 3.21-km-long underground tunnel.
* A red alert has been sounded at Edamalayar Dam. Its shutters are slated to be raised at 10 am on Tuesday.
* An orange alert has been sounded in Peruvannamuzhi dam (also known as Kuttiady dam) in Kozhikode on Monday.
Rain to intensify
A low-pressure formation over the North Western Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Odisha and Bengal, is likely to intensify in the next 24 hours, warns the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The low-pressure trough that stretches from the southern coast of Maharashtra to the northern coast of Kerala, the cyclonic circulation laying over the East Central Arabian sea and the monsoon trough that remains active south of its normal position, are all likely to bring isolated heavy rains in Kerala until August 10, IMD predicts.
Rain lashes Idukki district
Rain continues to lash the hilly district of Idukki forcing authorities to shift those living in areas prone to landslides.
Munnar has already seen two landslides last weekend. Kundala Estate here was rocked by a landslide on Sunday. Two houses were buried beneath a pile of slush, mud and stones. There were no casualties.
On Saturday, a temple, two shops and a water tank in the area were destroyed in another landslip.
