Kerala rains: All shutters of Idukki dam opened

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has appealed organisations and individuals to donate generously to the chief minister's relief fund.

Idukki dam officials informed that the following heavy rains and the high inflow of water in the catchment area of Idukki dam, 7.5 lakh litres of water per second will be released from the dams where all the shutters have been opened, high alert has been issued on the banks of Cheruthoni and Periyar rivers

More than 50 tourists, including 24 from abroad, have been stranded in Idukki district of Kerala for the past two days as the road leading to their resort in Munnar was damaged in a landslide which was triggered by heavy rains.

The Navy has put on alert at its Southern Naval Command in view of the rising water level in Periyar river in Kerala and a possible inundation of parts of Willingdon Island. (PTI)

The Idukki district administration has restricted tourists from visiting hilly areas and movement of heavy goods carriers also has been restricted. 6500 families will be affected, according to officials with disaster management in Ernakulam.