Heavy rain lashed the high-range areas of Munnar on Thursday, triggering concerns in the state that was slowly recovering from the August deluge.
Shutters of the Mattupetty dam in Idukki could be opened in the afternoon. Water level in the Mullaperiyar dam too has risen. The shutters of both Mullaperiyar and Cheruthoni dams (part of the Idukki reservoir) were opened in August, aggravating the flood situation.
Heavy rainfall was reported in certain other areas of Kerala, including Palakkad, on Thursday. Overnight rainfall in Palakkad also caused a rapid rise in the water level in dams. Shutters of the Malampuzha dam were opened in the afternoon as the water level crossed 114.03 metres. Four shutters were opened 30 cm each. A warning has been issued to the people living along the Bharatapuzha and Kalpathipuzha.
NDRF team in Thrissur
Five battalions of the NDRF is likely to reach Thrisur later in the day. More water will be released from the main dams in Thirssur, including those at Peechi, Sholayar and Chimmini.
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People living in areas vulnerable to landslides will be moved to safer zones. Restrictions have been placed at the Athirappilly waterfall from Friday.
Heavy rain warning
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had on Wednesday warned that a low pressure area similar to the one that caused the mighty August floods could form over Southeast Arabian Sea on Friday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked district collectors to set up relief camps by Friday. Fishermen who had gone out to sea have been asked to reach the nearest place of safety before Friday.
If the August depression was near the Odisha coast, the new one has been predicted further south, near Sri Lanka. The IMD has also said that in two days the depression could develop into a cyclonic storm.
The depression and cyclonic storm could also trigger heavy to extremely heavy rain in various parts of Kerala from October 5. Heavy to very heavy rainfall (12-20 cm in 24 hours) is most likely to occur at one or two places on October 4, 5, and 6, and very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall (21 cm and above in 24 hours) is most likely to occur at one or two places on October 7. The IMD has issued a red alert for three districts—Idukki, Palakkad and Thrissur—on October 7.
The chief minister said the extremely heavy rain could cause landslides in the high ranges. "People living in such vulnerable areas should heed the instructions of authorities,” he said. People living in areas affected by the August floods have also been asked to shift to camps if the going gets tough. Collectors in vulnerable areas have been asked to set up relief camps by October 5. "People can shift to camps if need be," he said.
