Kerala rains: Malankara dam shutters opened without warning; water level rises in Thodupuzha, Muvattupuzha rivers

Thodupuzha: Amid ongoing monsoon rains, five of the six shutters of the Malankara Dam in Idukki were opened without prior warning on Sunday, causing a rise in water levels in the Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers.

Neither the district administration nor the Water Resources Department has issued any official statement regarding the unexpected release of water. The dam is under the control of the Water Resources Department.

According to reports, the shutters were opened in the early hours of Sunday. While shutters are occasionally opened to regulate water levels, especially when red alerts are in place, opening five shutters at once is considered significant and typically warrants prior public notification.

However, no notification was issued by the Public Relations Department (PRD) on the matter. It was only after local media began reporting the incident that the PRD became aware of the development.

As a precaution, PRD have now issued a warning to residents living along the banks of the Thodupuzha and Muvattupuzha rivers, urging them to remain alert.

The water flows first into the Thodupuzha River and then into the Muvattupuzha River. Both rivers have shown a noticeable rise in water level following the release.