#KeralaRains #MonsooninKerala #OrangeAlert #StaySafe #StayInformed #KeralaDisasterManagement One of the highest arch dams in Asia, Kerala’s Idukki Dam is going to be opened for the first time in 26 years, owing to rising water level of the Periyar River following heavy monsoon rains in Kerala. On Monday night, the water level in the Idukki reservoir touched 2,395 feet against its maximum of 2,403 feet and just nine feet short of the full level, prompting the authorities to issue an orange alert in Idukki, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts. The dam’s shutters were last opened in 1992. However, this is the first time that the dam will be attaining its full level during the South West Monsoon. The arch reservoir comprises of three dams built across the Periyar River — Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. They were built for the Idukki Hydroelectric Project of the KSEB, but Idukki, being the highest, is used to store water while the other two are used to route it to the 780 MW powerhouse. The 550 foot high, double curvature dam is built between two granite hills — Kuravan and Kurinchi. As a precaution, people living downstream of the reservoir till Lower Periyar area in Ernakulam have been asked to be on vigil. But, as per report, the State Disaster Management Authority member secretary Sekhar Kuriakose said that there was no need to panic as the dam shutters would only be opened 24 hours after declaring the red alert. However, restrictions have been imposed on tourists visiting areas near the dam. (at Idukki Dam)
