Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy rains lashed across nine of the 14 districts in Kerala on Tuesday as the Met office forecast that the downpour will continue till Wednesday.
All schools and colleges were closed in the capital district following overnight heavy showers.
Heavy rains nearly fill Kerala’s largest dam
A 75-year-old man was electrocuted here as he came into contact with a live wire.
Idukki dam shutters to open, DMA issues advisoryhttps://t.co/MzBRgyNVBV#Idukkidam pic.twitter.com/sYzKX1SXB0
— Mathrubhumi (@mathrubhumieng) July 30, 2018
Idukki district authorities are keeping a close watch on the rising waters in the Idukki dam, where an "orange alert" has been issued as the water level touched 2,395ft.
Red alert
A red alert would be sounded if the waters reach 2,399 feet, paving the way for opening the floodgates of the dam, which have not been opened since 1992.
People are scared and some have even moved to higher plains to avoid the wrath of the rain.
A top view of the entire Idukki dams including the arch dam, reservoir and Cheruthoni by TOI lensman Jipson Sikhera pic.twitter.com/7TRbOrMUST
— Sudha Nambudiri (@msudhaTOI) July 31, 2018
Even though the catchment areas of the dam have been receiving rains, the intensity is just one-third of what it was earlier. The authorities, however, are confident that there is nothing to worry about.
Alert
The residents living in and around the low-lying areas of downstream have already been alerted.
The district authorities have made elaborate arrangements and a 1,000-strong police force is camping in the area to tackle any eventuality.
The water level in Idukki reservoir has reached 2395 ft. An Orange alert has been issued as a result. It must be noted that an Orange alert is not an indication for the opening of dam shutters. Public will be informed well in advance before any such event.
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) July 30, 2018
It must also be noted that the shutters of the dam will be opened only during daytime, and not in the night. The situation demands our vigilance, but there is no need for panic. It is our duty to refrain from any kind of fearmongering or misinformation.
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) July 30, 2018
The extended monsoon rains in Kerala have caused widespread devastation in the state, with a number of areas including Kuttanad, Kerala’s traditional rice bowl, continuing to be inundated in flood waters.
More than 30,000 people are estimated to be living in camps supported by the government after their houses were damaged or submerged by the rain waters.
