October 19, 2025

Get ready for a splash! On October 18, 2025, Kerala faced heavy rains like never before, drenching many areas and pushing water levels in reservoirs to the limit. The mighty Mullaperiyar Dam in Idukki stepped into action, opening all 13 shutters to release a whopping 7,163 cusecs of water. The water level was at 138.80 feet, crossing the safe mark of 137 feet, making this move crucial. Nearby, the Kallarkutty dam shutters also opened, letting out 500 cusecs. Four shutters of the Kallar dam went up by 60 cm, releasing 1,063 cusecs. They didn’t stop there; four shutters of the Malankara diversion dam stayed open, keeping a careful watch on the flowing waters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) kept the warnings loud and clear with an orange alert—meaning very heavy rains are expected—in districts like Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Kottayam on Saturday and several northern districts on Sunday. Just last night, heavy rains caused flooding in places like Kumily and Kattappana, leading to some 45 families being shifted to safer spots. A van even got washed away as the Kootar River swelled! Thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds up to 40 kmph are forecasted for the coming five days. Why all this rain wave? A low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea is gaining strength fast and will become a depression soon. IMD warns fishermen from Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Karnataka coasts not to venture into the sea till October 22, as gusty 55 kmph winds roar across the coast. Other dams like the Idukki reservoir—the state’s largest—are holding strong with all shutters closed, though the water storage is already at 75.80 percent. Local authorities are on high alert, ready to act if water levels continue to rise. Residents near the Kallar and Chinnar rivers have been warned about possible flooding. In short, Kerala is dancing to the tune of heavy rains and rising waters. Stay safe, keep an eye on alerts, and watch how nature shows its powerful side!

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Tags: Kerala heavy rain, Mullaperiyar dam, Idukki flooding, Imd orange alert, Dam water release, Cyclone warning,