Mullaperiyar dam opens; spillway opened after three years, red alert in Idukki dam

IDUKKI: The Mullaperiyar dam opened Friday morning. The third and fourth shutters of the spillway were raised 35 centimetres each. The spillway is being opened after three years. The spillways of the dam are to be opened following incessant rains in the catchment areas of Mullaperiyar.

Tamil Nadu had informed that the dam would be opened at 7 am. Ministers K Rajan and Roshy Augustine reached Mullaperiyar at 6.45 am. However Tamil Nadu officials raised the third shutter at 7.29 am and the fourth at 7.30 am after a short delay.

The water level in Mullaperiyar Dam is presently 138.75 feet. When the water level reaches 138 feet, the spillway will be closed. The water will reach Idukki dam at 9 am.

Meantime, the water level in Idukki dam reached 2398.32 feet. Red alert has been sounded in the dam. If the water level rises one more feet, the dam will open.

350 families in the area of the dam have been shifted to camps and their relatives houses. Eight relief camps have been opened in Peerumedu taluk alone.