78 dams in Kerala inches away from maximum capacity after heavy rains

The water levels of the dams in Kerala are an indication of the severity of rains that have lashed the state over the past week.
 78 dams in Kerala inches away from maximum capacity after heavy rains
78 dams in Kerala inches away from maximum capacity after heavy rains
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In the past week, the state of Kerala has witnessed a round of heavy rains, causing water levels of various dams in the state to reach their maximum levels. The state government was forced to announce orange alert in most of the dams. 

The Kerala Government, earlier this week, had declared orange alerts in Idamalayar dam in the Ernakulam district and in the Idukki dam. 

As of Friday, the water level at the Idamalayar dam was recorded to be at 167.31 meters. The full reservoir level (FRL) of the dam stands at 169 meters. 

An Orange alert was issued in Idamalayar dam on Wednesday, with the water levels touching 167.05 metres, leaving less than two metres for the dam to reach its full capacity. 

Officials had said that a Red Alert or final alert will be announced when the water touches 168 metres. 

The reservoir level at the Idukki dam on Friday was recorded to be 2,396.42 feet as opposed to an FRL of 2,403 feet. 

Kerala government had announced an Orange alert along the banks of the Periyar, with the water levels in the Idukki dam rising to 2,395 feet on Monday night. 

On Monday morning the water levels in the dam were at 0,2394.64 feet. Following steady rainfall, the water levels rose to 2395 prompting the government to issue the Orange alert. 

As per the latest reports, the water level at the Kakki dam in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala as on Friday is recorded to have reached 980.39 meters as opposed to a Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 981.46 meters. 

The government on Tuesday had declared an Orange alert on Kakki dam following the water levels crossing 980 meters. 

A red alert will be issued if the water level crosses 980.50 meters. 

Meanwhile, the shutters of the Malampuzha dam, also considered to be the second largest reservoir in Kerala, located near Palakkad, was opened after four years on Wednesdayafter the water levels rose up to 114.86 meters as opposed to its FRL of 115.06 meters. 

Previously, the shutters of the Malampuzha dam were opened only in 2014 and in 2013 after a similar rise in water levels. 

Due to heavy rains in the state, 78 dams have nearly reached their maximum capacity. Out of these, shutters of 25 dams have already been opened, according to a Mathrubhumi report. Shutters of the Aruvikkara and Peppara dams were opened in Thiruvananthapuram and the Neyyar dam too was opened on Monday by the irrigation department, which controls it. 

The Orange alert is the second alert followed by a Green alert or code Green – which is the first alert issued by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to warn those living close to the river. 

The authorities will ideally open the dam shutters only after the third and final alert – Code Red – has been issued. 

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