Kerala rains: Gates of Idukki dam opened, evacuation on

The gates of Idukki dam on the Periyar river were on Tuesday opened by the Kerala government to ease the pressure on the structure in the wake of heavy rainfall in the southern state. As many as thirty five people lost their lives in the rain-battered state.

As soon as the gates opened, one lakh litre of water gushed out of the dam that is backbone of the state’s hydel projects.

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

This is the fourth time that the shutters of Asia’s largest arch dam were opened. Before today, the gates were opened in 1981, 1992 and 2018.

As many as 200 families residing downstream have been evacuated by local authorities, Hindustan Times reported.

Officials said that the water from the dam took an earmarked river path, submerging Cheruthony town on the way. The authorities have sounded a high alert in Ernakulam and Alapuzha districts.

Also read: Kerala catastrophe: At least 22 killed, mom hugging baby found dead in debris

On Monday, the shutters of the Kaki Ananthodu Dam in Pathanamthitta district were opened. Moozhiyar and Maniyar dams have also been opened. The shutters of Peechi, Chimmini, Poomala, Asurankundu, Pathazhakundu and Vazhani dams in Thrissur district have been opened to prevent flooding.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the torrential rain were caused by a low-pressure area over south-east Arabian Sea. It has forecast more rain for the state between October 20 and 24.

It has also issued a red alert for 10 dams across the state.

Of the 35 deaths, 14 have been reported in Kottayam district, 10 in Idukki and one each in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode districts.