Kerala rains: Plans to launch water from dams trigger flood considerations, alerts issued at Idukki, Idamalayar

Express News Service

KOCHI: Akin to the floods in 2018, three days of heavy rainfall have led to regular influx and brimming water ranges in Kerala’s dams. The Kakki dam, a part of Sabarigiri challenge, will open its shutters at 11 am on Monday, October 18, 2021, and the water stage in Pampa river is predicted to rise. With Ayyappa devotees ready to proceed to Sabarimala hill shrine on Tuesday, the choice to launch water has prompted concern.

Shutters of Sholayar dam have been opened at 10 am on Monday. People dwelling on the banks of the Chalakudy river have been requested to shift.

At Idukki reservoir, the powerhouse of Kerala, the district administration issued an orange alert at 7 am as we speak. The water stage stood at 2396.90 toes at 7 am. The higher rule curve stage, the benchmark set by Central Water Commission for opening shutters is 2398.86 toes. The dam is receiving an influx of 34.711 MCM per day and the discharge for energy technology is 9.07 MCM per day. Considering the influx, the dam might open the flood gates by Wednesday.

At Idamalayar, the second-largest reservoir, a blue alert was issued at 7 am as we speak because the water stage touched 165.30 m. The full reservoir stage is 169 m and the higher rule curve stage is 166.80 m. An orange alert shall be issued because the water stage reaches 165.8 m and a crimson alert will observe at 166.3 m. The dam receives an influx of 0.8 MCM per hour and the water drawn for energy technology is 0.023 MCM per hour. Though the rain has subsided the dams are anticipated to obtain a gradual influx for the subsequent one week. Two shutters of Kakki – Anathodu reservoir shall be opened at 11 am as we speak. The full reservoir stage is 981.46 m and the water stage has reached 979.87 m. The water stage in Pampa river is predicted to rise by 10 to fifteen cm. The Pampa river is already flowing above flood stage.

In 2018, intense rainfall from August 1 had stuffed up the dams and a recent spell of torrential rainfall led to the simultaneous opening of all main dams on August 15. Water gushing down from Idukki and Idamalayar dams led to the flooding of coastal areas from Aluva. As the ocean was tough the water didn’t drain which aggravated the state of affairs. It was the discharge of water from Kakki – Anathodu reservoir that inundated Chengannur and Aranmula areas. The water had risen as much as the peak of a two-storeyed constructing in these areas leaving a path of demise and destruction.

However, the authorities can breathe simple because the rain has stopped and the ocean is comparatively calm. The plan is to launch water from dams in a phased method and to observe the water stage in downstream areas. The district administration in Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts have made preparations to observe water stage and to shift folks from low mendacity areas after reviewing the state of affairs.