Insta
Kerala Dams Were Full Even Before Torrential Mid-August Rains That Led To Devastating Flood, Says Report
The Idukki dam in Kerala. (Rameshng via Wikimedia Commons)
Swarajya Staff
Major dams in Kerala, barring Idukki, were full to capacity on the eve of the torrential rains that caused widespread floods in the state. The Times of India reports that the finding is part of a study carried out by Central Water Commission (CWC). The report went to the water resources ministry last week.
The CWC report recommends "revisiting 'rule curves' -- strategic water level for planning operations of a dam -- of all reservoirs." The storage capacity of reservoirs in Kerala is 5.8 BCM. It also mentions that the “The dams did not release anything extra of what they received,” adding, “The authorities had released water in a very controlled manner. The commission has come to the conclusion after computing and analysing step by step inflow and and outflow of water during the entire season, CWC director (hydrology) N N Rai said.”
CWC's role is "only advisory in nature", the TOI report says, adding that the dams are maintained by the state government with the "help of experts in management bodies." CWC has also referred to other reasons behind the flooding in its report, including the encroachment of floodplains.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
