Thodupuzha: With more rain forecast in the coming days, the shutters of the Idukki reservoir are likely to be opened on Tuesday to release adequate water and avert a crisis.
Water will be released from the Cheruthoni dam by Tuesday 11am, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine said.
The current water level at the dam is 2,397.38 ft. This is 93.44 per cent of the reservoir's full storage (2,403 ft).
The decision to raise the shutters of the Cheruthoni dam was taken after reports emerged that rains will intensify in the coming days. The water level is expected to reach the red alert mark of 2398.86 ft by 7 am on Tuesday.
The Idukki District Collector has urged the public and the authorities to be vigilant.
The district authorities have also sounded an alert to those who stay in the vicinity of the dam to be very cautious.
Around one lakh litres of water per second will be released from the Idukki dam, Roshy Augustine said.
Three shutters will be raised on Tuesday - one by 100 cm and the other two by 50 cm each.
The aim is to release water and maintain the water level at 2,395 ft.
He said 222 people from 64 families will be evacuated.
He also urged those staying along the banks of the Periyar river to take all necessary precautions.
Idamalayar dam
The two shutters of Idamalayar dam will also be opened by 15 cm at 6am on Tuesday, Ernakulam District Collector Jafar Malik has said.
He urged those living on the banks of the Periyar River to take precautions.
The Idamalayar dam water is being released to hold the new water released from the Idukki dam.
Peppara dam
Shutters of the Peppara dam in Thiruvananthapuram has been raised by 140 centimetres. The 1st and 4th shutters of the dam will be raised 5 cms each and the 2nd and 4th will be raised 10 cms each at 10pm on Monday. The shutters will be raised 30 more cms (combined) on Tuesday morning.
Kakki-Ananthodu dam
In another development, two shutters of the Kakki-Anathodu dam in Pathanamthitta have been opened by 15 cm.
Those who live on the banks of the Pamba River, especially in areas near Kuttanad, Kozhencherry, Ranni and Chengannur are likely to be affected.
Sholayar dam
The shutters of the Sholayar dam have already been opened. The dam water is set to reach Chalakudy areas late on Monday.
Thottapally spillway
One more shutter of the Thottapally spillway in Alappuzha was opened. Now, altogether 36 shutters of the spillway have been opened.
The opening of the remaining four shutters is getting delayed due to ongoing repair work.
Red alert in 10 Kerala dams
Kallarkutty (Idukki)
Kundala (Idukki)
Sholayar (Thrissur)
Moozhiyar (Pathanamthitta)
Kakki (Pathanamthitta)
Irattar (Idukki)
Lower Periyar (Idukki)
Peringal Kuthu (Thrissur)
Ponmudi (Idukki)
Pamba (Pathanamthitta)
Orange alert
Idukki (Idukki)
Mattuppetty (Idukki)
Blue alert
Idamalayar (Ernakulam)
