Idukki dam closes two sluice gates as rain subsides

Two of the Idukki dam’s sluice gates were opened on August 9 and by the end of August 10

Rain in the catchment areas of the big dams in Idukki district subsided on Sunday, coinciding with the shutting down of two of the five sluice gates of the Idukki dam, more than a week after all five gates were opened for the first time in history.

A view of the Idukki Dam as water level continued to rise in the reservoir in Iduki dam area of Kerala. (PTI)

The outflow of water from both the Idukki and the Mullaperiyar dams has also reduced.

TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE KERALA GOVERNMENT’S RELIEF FUND:

◼ Account number: 67319948232
◼ Bank: State Bank of India
◼ Branch: City branch, Thiruvananthapuram

◼ IFS Code: SBIN0070028
◼ PAN: AAAGD0584M
◼ Name of Donee: CMDRF

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Two of the Idukki dam’s sluice gates were opened on August 9 and by the end of August 10, the other three gates were also opened sending approximately 6 lakh litres of water into the Periyar river every second which worsened the flood situation downstream.

Incessant rain over the catchment area had forced authorities to open the reservoir’s sluice gates one by one to release water after the 2403 feet deep reservoir almost filled to the brim.