India – Dams Open as Deadly Floods Hit Kerala

At least 20 people have died in the state of Kerala in south west India after torrential rain triggered floods and landslides from 08 August, 2018.

Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, said earlier today that “heavy rains are causing destruction in many parts of the state. Debris flows and soil erosions have occurred in Wayanad, Idukki and Malappuram districts.

“The help of forces has been sought. They have been deployed for the rescue efforts in Wayanad, Idukki, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.”

Three teams of NDRF have been deployed at Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts. Army, Navy, Police and Fire personnel are active in rescue efforts, according to the Chief Minister.

Kerala State Disaster Management Agency (KSDMA) reported that around 192 families have been evacuated and moved to 10 relief camps in Palakkad.

Train travel has been severely disrupted in the state and flights to Cochin International Airport were temporarily suspended for around 2 hours.

Press Trust of India (PTI) said that 11 people were killed in a massive landslide in Idukki. Other deaths occurred in northern Malappuram district (6), Kannur (2) and 1 in Wayanad district.

The state has already suffered considerably during this year’s monsoon. According to figures from India’s National Disaster Division, between 29 May and 19 July at least 130 people had lost their lives in Kerala as a result of disasters caused by monsoon rainfall.

Dams Opened

PTI said that “with water levels rising in various dams and reaching almost its maximum capacity, shutters of at least 22 reservoirs in the state have been opened to drain out excess water.”

The Chief Minister said the “heavy rains have necessitated the opening of the shutters of Idukki Cheruthoni dam”. Kerala State Disaster Management Agency (KSDMA) said that one shutter will be opened as a trial and that communities down stream would be warned.

Two shutters of Idamalayar dam were opened at 05:00 on 09 August.

PTI says that this is the first time the Idukki Cheruthoni flood gates have been opened in 26 years and the first time in the state’s history that so many dams have been opened.

Rainfall, Rivers and Reservoirs

Local meteorological observers Chennai Rains said via Social Media that Palakkad recorded 214 mm of rainfall in 24 hours to early 09 August, adding “that’s just about 20 mm short of highest recorded 24 hour rainfall in the city, 236 mm way back in May 1957.”

India Meteorological Department (IMD) figures show that in a 24 hour period to 09 August, Idukki recorded 167.2 mm of rain, Malappuram 83.2 mm, Palakkad 89.1 mm and Wayanad 170.9 mm.

India’s Central Water Commission Flood Forecast unit said that the River Kabini at Muthankera (Wynadu District) has crossed its previous Highest Flood Level (HFL) of 712.735 metres recorded in June 1992. The river is expected to rise further.

According to KSDMA, as of 09 August, the Idamalayar Dam Reservoir Level was 169.74 metres, above capacity or full reservoir level (FRL) of 169 metres.

The Idukki Reservoir level (given in feet) was 2,399.58 feet (731.39 m), where FRL is 2,403 feet (732.43 metres).

Social Media

Flood Summary

Last updated: August 30, 2018
Event
Kerala, India, July to August 2018
Date
July 9 to August 30, 2018
Type
Urban flood, Flash flood, Landslide, River flood
Cause
Reservoir release, Extreme rainfall, Long-term rainfall

Locations

A - Kollam
B - Kasaragod
C - Alappuzha
D - Thrissur
E - Kozhikode
F - Palakad
G - Malappuram
H - Pathanamthitta
I - Ernakulam
J - Kottyam
K - Idukki
L - Thiruvanthapuram
M - Wayanad

Magnitude

Rainfall level
64.2 mm in 24 hours
Idukki - July 16 to July 17, 2018
IMD figures
Rainfall level
56.9 mm in 24 hours
Ernakulam - July 16 to July 17, 2018
IMD figures
Rainfall level
78.7 mm in 24 hours
Cohin - July 17 to July 18, 2018
WMO figures
Rainfall level
112 mm in 24 hours
Kozhikode - July 17 to July 18, 2018
WMO figures
Dam level
731.18 metres
Idukki Reservoir - August 15 to August 15, 2018
Figures from Kerala Disaster Management (KSDMA) Idukki Reservoir level (given in feet) was 2,398.90 feet (731.18 m), where FRL is 2,403 feet (732.43 metres).
Dam level
169.20 metres
Idamalayar dam - August 15 to August 15, 2018
Full reservoir level (FRL) is 169 metres
River level
Overflowing
River Valapatnam at Perumannu in Kannur District - August 15 to August 15, 2018
India’s Central Water Commission Flood Forecast unit said that the River Valapatnam at Perumannu in Kannur District is flowing in “Extreme Flood Situation.”
Rainfall level
79.1 mm in 24 hours
Idukki - August 13 to August 14, 2018
India Meteorological Department (IMD) figures
Rainfall level
75.2 mm in 24 hours
Kasargod - August 13 to August 14, 2018
Rainfall level
83.4 mm in 24 hours
Kozikod - August 13 to August 14, 2018
Rainfall level
75.5 mm in 24 hours
Malappuram - August 13 to August 14, 2018
Rainfall level
73.3 mm in 24 hours
Wayanad - August 13 to August 14, 2018
Rainfall level
214 mm in 24 hours
Palakkad - August 8 to August 9, 2018
Local meteorological observers Chennai Rains said via Social Media that Palakkad recorded 214 mm of rainfall in 24 hours to early 09 August, adding “that’s just about 20 mm short of highest recorded 24 hour rainfall in the city, 236 mm way back in May 1957.”
Rainfall level
167.2 mm in 24 hours
Idukki - August 8 to August 9, 2018
India Meteorological Department (IMD) figures
Rainfall level
83.2 mm in 24 hours
Malappuram - August 8 to August 9, 2018
Rainfall level
170.9 mm in 24 hours
Wayanad - August 8 to August 9, 2018
River level
712 metres
River Kabini at Muthankera, Wynadu District - August 9 to August 9, 2018
India’s Central Water Commission Flood Forecast unit figures - this is a record high

Damages

Fatalities
480 people
Kerala - July 9 to August 28, 2018
Figures from India's National Emergency Response Centre (NERC) (pdf) report as of 28 August, 2018
Evacuated
1,452,425
Kerala - July 9 to August 28, 2018
According to NERC figures over 1 million people have been displaced by floods and accommodated in 5,645 relief camps. As of 28 August there remained 696 camps.
Buildings destroyed
1822 buildings
Kerala - July 9 to August 28, 2018
21,695 suffered partial damage
Rescued
535 people
August 9 to August 21, 2018
According to NERC, India's From 9 August, 2018 to 21 August, 2018, National Disaster Response Force had rescued 535 people and evacuated 25,225. Medical assistance was provided to 5562.