Water level of Idukki dam reached 2,393 ft

Kottayam: Electricity minister M. M. Mani has said that shutters of the Cheruthoni dam of Idukki project could open even before the storage level touches 2400-ft mark if the situation demands.

At his discussions with officials at the Idukki collectorate on Saturday, there was a consensus to open the dam anytime when the water level touches 2,398 ft.

He told the meeting that instead of releasing the water at one go the government's priority was releasing in stages taking precautions.

The shutters should open during the day taking precautions, he said, allaying fears of people living downstream.

“A field survey is going on under various departments to determine how many households will get affected,” he said. “Additional chief secretary P.H. Kurian is assessing the ground situation and coordinating activities.”

Collector K. Jeevan Babu said the system is on alert to reduce the impact.  

“We are considering to release the water when the water level reaches 2,398 ft. The water will be released 15 minutes after sounding siren," he said. They will also make announcements on loudspeakers.

V.S. Balu, executive engineer, research and dam safety division at Vazhathoppu, said only one shutter would be open to releasing water in a limited way.

“We'll issue a red alert when the water level reaches 2,397 ft, and evacuate people from Cheruthoni to Panam-kutty. We think it will take at least Thursday for the water level to reach that level,” he told DC.

The dam has five shutters, and officials have inspected their pathway through which the water is to be released.

The team comprised revenue, electricity and irrigation department officials.

The inspected places from the Cheruthoni dam top to Panamkutty.

The water level of the Idukki dam reached 2,393 ft on Saturday, despite a reduction in the intensity of the rainfall.