Kerala Flood 2021: Shutters of Idukki Dam open for the first time after 2018, Orange alert issued in many districts

Kerala Flood 2021: Due to incessant rains in Kerala, the state government has issued a red alert regarding 11 dams. Therefore, an appeal is being made to the people in low-lying areas to be alert. The shutters of the Idukki dam on the Periyar river in Kerala have been opened on 19 October 2021 amid efforts to ease the pressure on the structure caused by heavy rainfall in the state.

After the monsoon, heavy rains in Kerala have disrupted normal life. In such a situation, three dams are being opened to stop the inundation. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for 11 districts of Kerala on October 19, indicating heavy rain after two days of relief.

Orange alert in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur districts for 20th Oct, Yellow alert in Kasargod, Alapuzha and Kollam. pic.twitter.com/aM2bsEYLbB

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2021

Orange alert has been issued for all districts except Kannur and Kasaragod on October 21. Red alert indicates heavy to very heavy rain of more than 20 cm in 24 hours, while orange alert indicates very heavy to very heavy rainfall of 6 cm to 20 cm in 24 hours. Yellow alert means heavy rain is expected between 6 to 11 cm.

The gates of the Idamalayar and Pampa dams were opened in the early hours of October 19 in view of the rise in water level in Kerala and forecast of more rains in the coming days. The move comes a day after the state government opened the gates of the Kakki and Sholayar dams.

The Ernakulam district administration has confirmed the opening of gates number two and three of the Idamalayar dam by 50 cm. At the same time, the Pathanamthitta district administration confirmed the opening of gates number three and four of the Pampa dam by 45 cm.