Plan to open Idukki dam put on hold as inflow thins

Idukki : With inflow into the Idukki dam thinning today, authorities put on hold the plan to open its shutters as the chances of the water level touching the maximum limit receded, much to the relief of people living downstream.

The water level in Kerala's largest hydro-electric reservoir rose close to the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) yesterday due to incessant rains and the Kerala State Electricity Board had sounded that its shutters would be opened to drain excess water through the Periyar river.

After reviewing the situation, KSEB Chief Engineer (Dams) K K Karappankutty said inflow into the reservoir had come down considerably due to let up in rains in the catchment areas and the plan to open the shutters had been put on hold.

"If the current situation continues, the option of opening one or two shutters of the dam would be given up. But it all depends on the weather. If rains recur, the water level could rise further," the official told reporters.

The Idukki district administration had worked out a contingency plan to ensure the safety of people living downstream after the water mark in the dam had touched 98 per cent of its FRL of 2,403 feet.

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As a precautionary step, an emergency cell was set up in the Cochin International Airport anticipating that water in the Periyar, which flows past Aluva town near the airport site, could rise, if the dam was opened.

A contingent of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was also called in to tackle the difficulties opening of the dam could pose to the people living downstream.

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