Kalpetta: Authorities opened one shutter of the Banasura Sagar Dam on Sunday afternoon following a ‘red alert’ triggered by rising water levels in the reservoir. The shutter was raised by 10 centimetres at 1:30 pm, after the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority granted clearance to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

As of 11:00 am, the water level in the dam had reached 774.40 metres, which is 92.51% of its total storage capacity crossing the threshold for a ‘red alert’. The rising inflow, despite a slight dip in rainfall across the catchment earlier in the day, prompted the decision to open the shutter by early afternoon.

KSEB officials stated that the controlled release will allow up to 50 cubic metres of water per second to flow out.

Originally, the shutter was scheduled to be opened in the morning, but as rainfall intensity dropped slightly in the high ranges, and the inflow momentarily stabilised, the release was postponed until midday.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Wayanad, indicating the possibility of moderate rainfall. yellow alerts are also in place in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. In contrast, orange alerts which signal a higher likelihood of intense rain have been declared in Kannur and Kasaragod.

People living downstream of the dam are advised to remain alert and follow instructions from local authorities. Authorities are closely monitoring the water levels.