Kerala rains: High alert sounded before 3 dams open floodgates
By Asianet Newsable English | First Published Oct 18, 2021, 9:52 PM ISTKerala is on high alert as the state prepares to open the shutters of three dams -- Idukki, Pamba and Edamalayar -- to ease off the water levels amid prediction of more heavy rains.
Kerala is on high alert as the state prepares to open the shutters of three dams -- Idukki, Pamba and Edamalayar -- to ease off the water levels amid prediction of more heavy rains.
Seventy families residing in five villages downstream will be relocated before the dam shutters are partially opened. The Idukki dam floodgates will be opened at 11 am. Authorities have banned fishing in the Periyar river. Tourism activities near the Idukki dam area have been restricted.
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The Edamalayar dam shutters will be raised to a maximum of 80 cm at around 6 am on Tuesday. The district administration has warned people against needlessly visiting the Periyar river.
Two shutters of the Pamba Dam will be opened around 5 am. The Pathanamthitta district officials have already warned people to move to safer places. Evacuations are to be completed before the floodgates are opened. The water level in Pamba, Achankovilar and Manimala rivers is still above the danger level. Around 116 camps have been opened in the Pathanamthitta district. As of now, these camps are providing shelter to 1,047 families and 3,584 people.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested the people in the areas around the dams to be extra vigilant. The release of water from the three dams is in line with the decision of a committee appointed by the government to monitor the water level in the dams.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rains in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts.
The heavy rain in the last few days has taken a toll on the lives and livelihood of people. In In Palakkad district alone, 2455.76 hectares, including paddy cultivation, has destroyed due to rains.
Heavy downpour snapped power supply to 5.2 lakh households So far, electricity has been restored in 45,000 households.
The death toll in rain-related incidents has risen to 27. Even as relief and recue operations continue on a war footing, Buddhist leader Dalai Lama expressed his condolences to the families who have lost their family members in this disaster.
Lauding the efforts of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, The Dalai Lama donated Rs 11 lakh to the state relief fund.
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