Pathanamthitta: The shutters of Pamba dam have been opened as the water level is nearing its maximum capacity. Six shutters were raised by two feet. The water from the dam is expected to reach Ranni within five hours. When the dam is opened, the water level in Pamba river rises by 40 centimetres. At present, the water level in Pamba dam is at 983.5 metres.

Currently, only the orange alert ahead of opening the dam has been issued. Under normal procedure, a red alert is sounded when the water level reaches 984.5 metres and the dam would be opened when water reaches 985 metres. However, the authorities decided to raise the shutters of the dam when the water level is at 983.5 metres, informed Pathanamthitta Collector P. B. Nooh.

After opening the dam, the water takes about 5 hours to reach Ranni town. The water will reach Thiruvalla by Monday afternoon. The water in the river will not rise to a dangerous level only because of opening the dam. So, the concerns of a flood similar to the one that occurred in 2018 are baseless. The water was released in a controlled amount in order to avoid such a situation, the Collector said.

If rain continues like this, the water level is likely to rise during the night. Then the dam will have to be opened at midnight after sounding a red alert. When the water level reaches the maximum capacity of the reservoir, the dam must be opened. The shutters have been opened without issuing a red alert to avoid such situations, the Collector added.

Shutters need to be opened by 6-8 feet when water reaches at full reservoir level. This will carry more water to Pamba river, raising danger. The decision to open the dam was taken in order to avoid huge quantities of water flowing to the river in a short span of time, the Collector informed.