Idukki District Dam Shutters Opened Amid Heavy Monsoon Rains

Heavy monsoon rains in Idukki district, Kerala, raised water levels at the Pambla (Kallarkutty) Dam above the red‑alert threshold of 252 m. The district collector ordered the dam shutters to be opened—first at 10 p.m. on 30 July and again from 6 p.m. on 31 July—to release up to 500 cumecs of water downstream.

The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for the district, forecasting continued intense rainfall. The District Disaster Management Authority warned residents living along the Periyar River and its tributaries to stay alert, avoid the riverbanks and low‑lying areas, and follow safety instructions. Police, fire‑rescue, health officials and local authorities were placed on standby to respond to any emergency arising from the water release.