Kerala rains: As Idukki, Idamalayar dams open, 2018 disaster on many minds

Rain-battered Kerala is all set to open the gates of two of its prominent dams to allay people’s concerns and control the water level. The two structures are the Idukki dam – Asia’s biggest arch dam constructed across the Periyar River – and Idamalayar on one of its tributaries in Ernakulam district.

Hindustan Times reported that rain-related incidents have claimed as many as 35 lives across Kerala.

On Monday, Water minister Roshy Augustine said that water level in Idukki dam reached 2,396.86 feet at 7am and there is a possibility it would breach the upper limit of 2,398.86 feet by Tuesday.

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“In view of the rising water levels of Idukki dam, it has been decided to open two of its shutters by 50 centimeters to let out 100 cubic metre per second of water flow,” said the minister.

“The decision is based on past experience and was meant to allay people’s concerns,” Augustine added. The Idukki dam is designed to hold 2,403 feet of water.

Meanwhile, Ernakulam district collector Jafar Malik said that two shutters of Idamalayar dam will be opened by 80 centimetres each on Tuesday. “Due to this, no significant change in the water level of the Periyar river is expected,” he added.

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The official said that this move has been taken as a precautionary measure in anticipation of heavy rains and floods in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rain in Kerala from October 20 to 24. It has already issued a yellow alert – a warning for possible severe weather – in 11 districts of the state.

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It should be noted that on August 16, 2018, severe floods affected Kerala, due to unusually high rainfall during the monsoon season. It was the worst flood in Kerala in nearly a century. Over 483 people died, and 15 went missing.

Thirty-five out of the fifty-four dams within the state were opened, for the first time in history. All five overflow gates of the Idukki dam were opened at the same time, and for the first time in 26 years 5 gates of the Malampuzha dam of Palakkad were opened.