Flood fears prompt early water release plan

Thrissur: As the monsoon gathers strength, district authorities in Thrissur are taking proactive steps to avert flooding in the Chalakkudy River basin. A key precaution this year is the decision to keep the crest gates of Peringalkuthu dam open at 419.40 metres, well before the reservoir’s full capacity of 423.98 metres, so that water is released automatically once it touches that mark.The decision was taken at a meeting of the extended district disaster management authority, attended by minister O J Janeesh, district collector Sikha Surendran said. The current water level in the dam stands at 417.35 metres. The move assumes added significance as an orange alert has been issued in the district on Thursday.The collector said steps have also been taken to monitor water levels in Sholayar dam and the flow from catchment areas into other reservoirs. Officials in charge of the dams will need prior permission before opening the Sholayar dam valves. They have also been directed to report any abrupt rise in water levels at Peringalkuthu following increased inflow from upstream reservoirs.The Chalakkudy River caused widespread destruction in 2018, inundating large areas and damaging farms, cattle and houses. The flood drew criticism then, and since, with many attributing it to mismanagement of water levels in upstream reservoirs including Upper Sholayar, Lower Sholayar and Parambikulam.Responding to the decision, S P Ravi of the Chalakkudy River Protection Forum said it was the minimum the authorities could do. He said bringing the water level down further to around 415 metres before high rainfall events would allow significant flood moderation for at least 12 hours, even if inflow reached 1,000 cubic metres per second.Ravi also called for integrated reservoir management plans for multi-dam basins, and said rule curves and flood cushions must be stipulated for all dams.