Kochi – As monsoon rains lash Kerala, authorities have swung into action to manage rising water levels in key reservoirs across the state. In a precautionary move, shutters of the Malampuzha Dam in Palakkad and the Banasura Sagar Dam in Wayanad were opened today to ease pressure from swelling inflows.
The Banasura Sagar Dam was the first to be opened at 10:15 a.m., releasing water at a controlled rate of 50 cubic meters per second. Shortly after, at 10:20 a.m., three shutters of the Malampuzha Dam were lifted after water levels climbed to 111.19 meters — above the prescribed safety limit of 110.49 meters.
District administrations have issued cautionary alerts to residents living along the Kalpathi and Bharathapuzha riverbanks, urging them to remain vigilant as water levels continue to rise.
Meanwhile, two shutters of the Upper Sholayar Dam have also been opened, increasing outflow into the Lower Sholayar basin.
In Idukki, the situation at Mullaperiyar Dam is drawing serious attention. With the water level reaching 135 feet, just a foot short of the spillway threshold, officials warn that a release may be imminent if inflows continue. The dam is currently receiving a massive 6,084 cusecs of water per second, while Tamil Nadu is withdrawing only 1,867 cusecs.
According to the rule curve, Tamil Nadu is permitted to store water up to 136 feet in the Mullaperiyar reservoir until June 30. A formal alert has been issued to both Tamil Nadu authorities and the Idukki district administration about the possibility of an overflow if the heavy inflow persists.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation as Kerala braces for more rain in the coming days.
