Idukki dam opened Madhyamam

Churuthoni: Idukki dam reopened following eight months following the water level rose due to heavy rains. The three shutters of the Cheruthoni dam, a part of the Idukki hydropower project, were opened three times. Through this, 100 cubic feet (one lakh liters) of water per second flows into Periyar. The dam was opened at 10 am on Sunday in the presence of Water Resources Minister Roshi August and officials of the Dam Safety Department. It was decided to open the Idukki dam as a precautionary measure when the water level in the Idukki dam rose due to the strong water flow and the opening of the Mullaperiyar dam. The first siren sounded at 9.55 am. At 10 o’clock the third siren sounded and the third shutter was raised by 75 cm. At this time, the water level in the dam on red alert was 2384.22 feet. It took 28 minutes for the water to reach Charuthoni Bridge. From here through Karimban Chappath to Lowerperiyar Dam and from there through Bhoothankett Dam to Varapuzha Lake via Malayathur, Kaladi and Aluva. At 4.20 pm the third shutter was raised from 75 cm to 120 cm and at 4.45 it was lowered to 70 cm. The second shutter at 4.45 and the fourth shutter at 5 were raised by 40 cm each. According to Sunday evening, there is 2384.72 feet of water in the dam. This is 79.09 percent of the storage capacity. The dam is being opened for the 13th time. It was last opened on December 7th. Before the opening, police were deployed from Idukki Dam to Churuthoni in the morning. Ambulance and fire brigade have been prepared. Visitors were strictly prohibited in front of the gate opening the dam. During the opening of the dam, it was ensured in advance that the houses on the banks of Periyar would not get flooded. 79 families were notified to relocate as a precaution. Pictures: TDG Idukki Dam 1, TDG Idukki Dam 2 Shutter No. 3 of Churuthoni Dam, a part of Idukki Dam, opened on Sunday morning Picture: Tenzing Pole TDG Idukki Dam 3, TDG Idukki Dam 4 All three shutters of Churuthoni Dam, a part of Idukki Dam, opened Picture: Tenzing​ Paul