Mattupetty dam shutter opened

Kottayam: One shutter of the Mattupetty dam near Munnar in Idukki district was opened by 15 cm on Thursday after the water level reached its maximum storage capacity. It was discharging six cubic metres of water per second since 8.30 am. 

The maximum storage capacity of the dam is 1599.69 metres. The authorities issued an alert for those residing in downstream Munnar, Muthirapuzha, Kallarkutty, and Lower Periyar regions.   

The dam constructed in one of the hills bordering Kerala and Tamil Nadu used to get filled during the northeast monsoon October-November. 

However, the water reached its maximum storage capacity in August due to unprecedented rains that triggered a deluge, and it opened shutters on August 14 flooding downstream including the touristy Munnar.