Cheruthoni: Amid rising worries over the possible release of water from the Idukki reservoir, district collector K Jeevan Babu stated that his administration has made all preparations to face any situation. The statement aims at assuaging fears among local people in the event of water gushing out of the Cheruthoni dam as the authorities decide to release water from the major reservoir, viz. the Idukki dam.

“Each department has to ensure that the staff they choose to handle the situation are committed,” he said. “We have notified people living on river shores in five panchayats through which the water will flow. Some of them have already shifted out of their houses. We are clearing hindrances to the smooth flow of water.”

1,000 cops for security

The authorities will be deploying 1,000 police personnel at the Idukki dam site and surrounding areas to meet any eventuality in the wake of the likely opening of the shutters. Four DySPs, 12 circle inspectors, 100 sub-inspectors (SI) and 150 assistant SIs will be be among them.

209 houses alerted

The district administration has issued alert notices to 209 houses in five villages after an assessment that these houses would be flooded if the shutters are raised at Cheruthoni. A total of 752 people live in these 209 houses. Fifty-eight of these houses sit on the river shore; the number of people housed there is 218.

A meeting called by the collector reviewed preparations for a trial run and for release of water from the Cheruthoni dam, like deployment of the police force, traffic control, healthcare facilities and role of the Fire and Rescue Force.

District police chief K B Venugopal and Additional District Magistrate were among those who attended the meet.

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