Dams opened, heavy rains trigger flood scare; 5000 people evacuated from banks of Chalakudy river

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the shutters of as many as 27 dams raised in the wake of heavy rains, the water level in the rivers of Kerala has risen causing serious concern among people. Authorities have started evacuating people living on the banks of the rivers. The action is being taken in view of the flood situation. The situation is alarming in Chalakudy following the opening of the Peringalkuthu and Sholayar dams. As the water level in the Chalakudy river has risen dramatically, the local residents are in fear of floods.

The people living on the banks of the river are being evacuated. 33 camps were opened and around five thousand people were evacuated. Minister K Rajan reached Chalakudy and assessed the situation. The minister said that the situation in the region is serious. Heavy rain is continuing in this area.

More than 10,000 people have been evacuated across the state. There has been heavy damage due to flooding, including in low-lying areas. Many are worried whether the flood disaster of 2018 and 2019 will repeat once again. The water level in the Pamba river has also risen dangerously high. With the water level touching 136.06 ft, the Mullapperiyar dam will be opened today morning at 10 am. Malampuzha Dam will also be opened in the morning.

Heavy rain will continue till Monday. No red alert has been declared anywhere today. With the opening of the Thenmala Dam in Kollam at 11 am today, the water level in the Kallada river will rise up to 90 cm. Water levels have risen dangerously in Kuttanad and Upper Kuttanad regions.

The water level has risen in Manimala and Achankovil rivers in Pathanamthitta. Moozhiyar and Maniyar dams have been opened. Traffic on the Gavi route was prohibited following a landslide at Aranamudi.

19 deaths
Three rain-related deaths were reported yesterday. The death toll has reached 19 in five days. In Kasargod, Cherupanathadi native M Raghavan (64) fell into the stream and died. The body of Pulluvila native Maniyan (Varghese, 46), one of the two fishermen who went missing after their fibre boat overturned in the Chettuva estuary in Thrissur, washed ashore at the Valappad beach. The body of retired teacher Latha (57), who fell into the river in Kooramkundu and went missing, was found.