Thiruvananthapuram, July 31: Heavy rainfall in Kerala have prompted authorities to consider opening the shutters of the Idukki dam, one of the highest arch dams in Asia. Amid continuous heavy rainfall in the state, the authorities have issued an orange alert after the water level in the dam touched 2,395 feet on Monday. It was opened for the first time in 26 years, has caused panic among the nearby residents forcing them to evacuate from the area.

According to a report by PTI, due to copious inflows following heavy monsoon rains, the water level in the dam on Monday stood at 2,395 feet against its maximum of 2,403 feet. Reports inform that once the water level reaches 2,395 ft, an orange alert is issued to the local people. After the alert is issued, the locals have to evacuate their homes until the flood water recedes.

A committee chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took stock of the situation to discuss the precautions to be taken once the shutters are opened. The meeting was also attended by Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan, Water Resources Minister, Mathew Thomas, Revenue Additional Chief Secretary, PH Kurian. Vijayan has also instructed the Idukki and Ernakulam district collectors to make necessary preparations ahead of the opening of the dam.

Officials informed that the shutters of the dam, a double curvature arch reservoir constructed across the Periyar river, were likely to be opened once the water level touched 2,400 feet. According to a report by PTI, the Idukki dam has received 192.3 cm of rains, about 49 percent more than long-term average rainfall received by the reservoir.

Reports inform that the dam which was last opened in 1992 constitutes of three dams -Idukki, Cheruthoni, and Kulamavu. While Idukki dam is used to store the water the latter two are meant to route it to the powerhouse.

Reports inform that over 30,000 people are believed to be living in government camps after their houses were damaged or submerged due to heavy rainfall. In wake of the continues downpour, the Disaster management authority has prepared a list of buildings in and around 100 metres of the dam area with the help of satellite pictures and details of people residing in these buildings would be collected, an official release said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2018 12:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).