Thodupuzha: The Idukki dam is hardly 6 feet short of full reservoir level (FRL), with water level touching 2,3994.70 ft at 9 pm Saturday. An alert has been sounded downstream as the water could be released in a phased manner.

The Idukki dam does not have shutters and excess water can only be drained out by lifting the shutters of the smaller Cheruthoni dam, part of the Idukki reservoir. (The FRL is 2,400 ft)

The current plan is to raise the shutters on Tuesday for a 'limited 4-hour release.' More release will be decided after factoring in the rainfall and water inflow into the reservoir.

Apart from Tuesday (July 31), the other dates being consider for water release are August 3 and 4. A red alert will be issued if the water level touches 2,395 ft. There will be limited release when the level touches 2,397 and 2,398 ft.

State power minister MM Mani said the dam had to be opened before water level peaked at 2,400 ft. “The Kerala State Electricity Board cannot take a risk. Shutters will not be opened at night,” he said.

“The water will be released in limited quantities so that a sudden gush can be avoided,” the minister said, adding that a field survey was on to examine how many houses would be affected.

No selfies

A meeting chaired by the minister at the district collectorate was attended by Joyce George, MP, and MLAs PJ Joseph and Roshi Augustine.

Officials said people should be discouraged from taking selfies on bridges and near the riverbanks once the shutters were opened.

Additional chief secretary PH Kurien will camp in Idukki to review the situation and coordinate the activities of different departments.

Read more: Opening Idukki dam can drown 4,500 buildings in 100m radius of Periyar

Power generation

The dam is now 88.36% full. The inflow was enough to produce 36.54 million units of electricity on Saturday and 14.703 million units were generated.

On Saturday, rain eased in the reservoir areas. The water level in Mullaperiyar was at 135.95 ft. and water has been released to Tamil Nadu.

If water supply to the neigbouring state doesn't bring down storage level considerably, water will be diverted to Idukki dam via a spillway.

Rehabilitation camps set up

Twelve camps have been set up to rehabilitate people who may be displaced. Precariously positioned trees will be cut down and canals are being cleared of slush or any waste materials that could obstruct the flow.

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