THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With water level in
Idukki dam inches away from brim, a high-level meeting chaired by chief minister
Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday decided to evolve an urgent action plan to minimize the hardships in the event of shutters being opened.
The water level in the arch dam, which can hold up to 2,403ft, crossed 2,392 ft on Friday. However, water level up to 2,400 ft is considered as safe level. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has been generating close to 14 million units of power from Idukki over the past few days.
The meeting also decided to conduct a survey to measure impact on people and property if shutters are opened. State disaster management authority has already collected details from satellite pictures of buildings situated on 100m stretch from either side of the river downstream. The emergency survey would collect details of people living on the banks of the river downstream. It would also prepare a road map for relief and rehabilitation measures to be put in place.
According to KSEB sources, chances of water level crossing 2,400ft is remote unless there is heavy downpour in the catchment area. "There was only an increase of .22ft on Friday. Since the board has increased power generation, the possibility of water level crossing 2,400ft is remote,'' board sources said. Moolamattam power house is generating an average of eight to 14 MU power every day.
Power minister M M Mani who visited the
dam on Friday said the government wants to avoid opening of shutters. "But if needed, they will be opened," the minister said.
A review meeting of dam safety officials and people's representatives will be held at Idukki collectorate at 12 noon on Saturday. The dam safety wing has already issued blue vigil alert to residents.
The water level in Mullaperiyar rose to 135.95ft on Friday morning and may reach 136ft soon. But it is learnt that Tamil Nadu has decided to raise the water level in Mullaperiyar to the SC-approved 142ft.
Instruction to open the gates of Cheruthoni dam within 24 hours after the level crosses the red alert mark (2,399ft), has been given said Bibin Joseph, chief engineer, dam safety wing of KSEB.
Shutters of Cheruthoni dam were opened only twice in the past in 1981 and 1992. The shutters of
Peechi dam were opened on Friday afternoon, as water level rose above the safe level of 78.6m.
Shutters of Cheruthoni dam will be opened when water level in Idukki dam touches 2,400ft.
(With inputs from Idukki, Kottayam, Thrissur and Kochi)
The shutters of Peechi dam were opened on Friday afternoon, as water level rose above the safe level of 78.6m.
