Palakkad on Orange Alert as Heavy Rains Force Dam Openings, Tourist Closures
Heavy rainfall across Kerala's Palakkad district on Saturday disrupted normal life, with waterlogging, fallen trees, and rising water levels in dams triggering precautionary measures. The district administration declared an orange alert, and educational institutions remained closed for the day.
A house at Puthuppally Street collapsed in the morning, but the five-member family, including elderly parents, escaped unhurt. According to reports, the family moved to the rear of the house after hearing a loud noise moments before the collapse. A motorcycle parked nearby was damaged in the incident.
In response to the downpour, District Collector Sudhir K. banned entry to all hill tourism destinations, including Nelliyampathy and Malampuzha. Access to Kava at Malampuzha was also restricted. Tourists were advised to avoid visiting these areas until conditions improve.
Water levels in several dams rose alarmingly, prompting authorities to open shutters. At Mangalam dam, six spillway shutters were initially opened by five centimetres each on Saturday morning. Later, all six shutters were raised further by 35 to 45 centimetres after the water level reached 77.71 metres against the maximum storage capacity of 77.88 metres. Officials said the shutters might be raised up to 60 centimetres depending on rainfall. Residents along the Mangalam River, downstream areas, and riverbanks were alerted to stay vigilant.
Similarly, three shutters of the Kanjirapuzha Dam were opened following heavy rain in the catchment area. The water level stood at 95.37 metres against the maximum capacity of 97.50 metres. Authorities indicated that additional shutters may be opened if rainfall intensifies.
At the Velliyankallu regulator-cum-bridge in Thrithala, twenty shutters were opened, and an alert was issued for residents living along the banks of the Bharathapuzha river.
Traffic faced disruptions across the district. A tree fell across the Nelliyampathy-Nenmara road near Kundarachola, delaying buses and other vehicles for several hours on Saturday morning. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, forest officials, and passengers worked together to clear the tree, restoring traffic after about an hour.
Waterlogging affected the Kannamkundu Crossway at Mannarkkad, the Cherpulassery-Ottapalam road, and areas including Varode, Marappalam, and Athani. The Arakurissi stream overflowed, bringing road traffic to a halt in the vicinity.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has set up a control room in Palakkad to address rain-related power issues. Residents can report complaints at 9496009936, 9496010101, 1912, or 9496001912. People have been advised to immediately report fallen electric lines and other power-related hazards.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged residents in low-lying areas to remain cautious and follow official instructions.
