Wayanad: With rains intensifying in Wayanad after a brief lull, the spillway shutters of the Banasura Sagar Dam will be raised at 9 am on Thursday to release water into the river, the Dam Safety Authority said in a press release. If the water level in the reservoir crosses 775 metres, the maximum permissible limit of the dam, the shutters will be opened, releasing up to 500 cusecs of water into the river.

Meanwhile, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has cautioned residents living downstream of the dam to remain alert. People residing along the lower reaches of the dam, especially those on the banks of the Karamanathodu and Panamaram Puzha rivers, have been warned that the water level may rise once the shutters are opened.

DDMA data shows that the Western Ghat region of the district, which forms the dam’s catchment, has received heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours. The catchment areas include Padinjarathara, Pozhuthana, Thondernad and Vythiri.

IMD forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued an orange alert for three districts, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. The weather agency had forecast heavy rainfall (7 cm to 11 cm in 24 hours) to very heavy rainfall (12 cm to 20 cm in 24 hours) today.

The IMD also said strong surface winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph are likely to prevail occasionally over Kerala today. In addition, a yellow alert has been issued for Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts for the day.

The IMD expects heavy rainfall (7 cm to 11 cm in 24 hours) tomorrow at one or two places in Kerala.