Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 10: As heavy rain continues to lash Kerala, two more shutters of Idukki dam were opened on Friday morning to accommodate the additional flow of water. The floodgates were opened to increase the water flow into the Periyar river to 125 cuses (1, 25,000 liters/second). On Thursday, the administration was compelled to open the sluice gates of Cheruthoni dam on Idukki reservoir, for the first time in 26 years as the inundation was so severe.

At least 26 people have lost their lives so far across rain-battered Kerala due to flooding and landslides caused by the torrential downpour in the state. The deluge has ravaged several districts of the state, with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working in a fire-fighting mode. The heavy downpour, caused by the annual south-west monsoon, has also hampered the train services between Kanjikode and Walayar and adversely affected flight services as well.