All 13 shutters of Mullaperiyar Dam opened

KUMILY: All 13 spillway shutters of the Mullaperiyar Dam were opened for the first time in three years after the water level crossed the rule curve limit of 136 feet. At 11:35 AM yesterday, the water level reached 136.25 feet, prompting the authorities to lift all 13 shutters by 10 centimetres, releasing 250 cubic feet of water per second into the Periyar River. As the water level did not significantly decrease, the shutter opening was raised to 30 centimetres by 4 PM.

However, the water level in the Periyar River has not risen considerably so far. The Idukki district administration has made arrangements to evacuate residents living along the riverbanks in case of any emergency. According to the most recent measurement, the dam’s water level remains at 136.25 feet. Due to a reduction in rainfall in the catchment areas, the outflow has dropped to 2,788.08 cubic feet per second. Of this, 2,117 cubic feet per second is being diverted to Tamil Nadu through the tunnel to the Vaigai Dam.

On Saturday night at 10 PM, the water level had reached the rule curve mark of 136 feet. However, the Idukki District Collector had earlier requested Tamil Nadu not to open the shutters during the night. Based on this, Tamil Nadu had informed in the morning that the shutters would be opened at 12 noon. Yet, the shutters were actually opened at 11:35 AM. In previous years, the shutters were opened suddenly and without prior warning at night, causing floodwaters to enter homes along the Periyar riverbanks.