Mullaperiyar Dam shutters opened amid heavy rain; alert issued in Idukki

Idukki: Three spillway shutters of the Mullaperiyar Dam were opened on Saturday morning following continuous heavy rainfall in the catchment areas, prompting authorities to issue a high alert along the Periyar River.

According to officials from the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department, which manages the dam, the shutters were raised by 75 cm each, discharging approximately 1,063 cusecs of water into the river. The controlled release was carried out after the water level in the reservoir neared its permissible limit of 138 feet.

The Idukki district administration has urged residents along both banks of the Periyar to exercise caution. While the current river levels downstream are not alarming, officials warned that continued rainfall may necessitate further release of water.

Heavy rains, which began late Friday night, lashed several parts of Idukki for over 10 hours. In multiple locations, water-logging, minor landslides, and flash floods were reported.

In Kumily, a family of five, including three children, was rescued after being trapped near an overflowing stream. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, assisted by local residents, carried out the rescue in challenging conditions. Those rescued were identified as Mini (50), Devi (29), Akshay Krishna (9), Dayan Krishna (4), and Krishna (1). No injuries were reported. As a precautionary measure, 42 families from flood-prone and landslide-vulnerable areas have been shifted to relief camps set up by the district administration.

The Kallar Dam, a smaller reservoir in the district, was also opened on Saturday following a spike in inflow. Authorities said the release was minor but necessary to prevent structural stress on the dam due to accumulating rainfall.

Officials said vulnerable areas such as Aanavilasam, Shasthanad, Vandiperiyar, and Kakkikavala are being closely monitored for any signs of flooding. Control rooms in high-risk taluks have been activated.

Though located in Kerala’s Idukki district, the Mullaperiyar Dam is operated by Tamil Nadu under a long-standing inter-state water-sharing agreement. Kerala authorities confirmed that prior notice of the shutter opening was received, as per protocol.

The water released from the Mullaperiyar Dam eventually flows into Tamil Nadu’s Vaigai basin, but not before passing through populated areas in Kerala, raising concern during periods of high inflow.

IMD forecast and alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Idukki, warning of continued rainfall in isolated areas. An orange alert has been issued for nearby districts including Wayanad and Pathanamthitta, where intense rainfall is likely.

Landslide-prone regions remain under surveillance. Emergency teams, including members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are on standby should evacuation become necessary.