Padinjarathara, Wayanad: Kerala has been witnessing downpour which has been unusual in its intensity and duration while considering the pattern of monsoon rains in the past couple of decades, at least. Several dams across the state are brimming and the waters are being continuously released for the past fortnight. On Saturday, Banasura Sagar Dam, the largest earthen dam in India, set a record as its shutters remain raised for 15 consecutive days, a first in its history.

The shutters were raised on July 15 after the dam filled up beyond capacity due to incessant rain. The authorities could not shut it so far as the rain hasn't eased a wee bit in its catchment area. This was the first time after 2014 that the dam got filled up and shutters had to be opened. Earlier, the shutters have remained open only for maximum one week. This year, however, the water inflow has broken all records. The shutter was raised 20 cm initially; later it was further raised up to 130 cm. The water release has caused flooding in areas below the dam.

A little reduction in the intensity of the rain has now allowed water release at the rate of 40 cm from the three shutters, bringing down water level in rivers and reducing floods in low-lying areas.

The Banasura Sagar Dam traps the waters of the Karamanathodu, a tributary of the Kabini river.