Alert sounded at Idukki dam

Kottayam: Authorities have issued an alert to people living downstream and on both sides of the Cheruthoni and Periyar rivers after the water level in the Idukki dam touched 2390.18 feet.

The alert from V.S. Balu, the executive engineer, research and dam safety, says going by the current inflow, the level could reach 2,400.03 ft within the next four to five days. The full reservoir level is 2,403 ft. If it touches 2,400 ft, they will open shutters of Cheruthoni dam. Chief engineer, civil dam safety, Bibin Joseph also issued a similar warning.

The Idukki reservoir had released excess water earlier in 1981 and 1992. The dam has now reached 85.28 per cent of its storage capacity, and sources said its catchment area received 54 mm rain on Wednesday.

They will start preparations for opening the dam if the water level reaches 2,395 ft and a final warning will be when it reaches 2,399 feet.

Mr Balu said, even if the rain and the inflow from the catchment area continue in the coming days, it's enough to reach the water level at 2,400 feet," Mr Balu told Deccan Chronicle.

"We have issued the first-level warning. Once it reaches 2,395 feet, we'll open a control room near the dam. If it reaches 2,399 feet, we'll issue a red alert."Though the level had reached 2,400 ft in 2013, they didn't open shutters for a sudden decrease in rainfall and increased power generation at Moolamattom powerhouse.