THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though the storm clouds that hit city areas had not blessed catchment areas in the capital, the water levels have gone up slightly giving hopes to officialdom. As per Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, rains could continue for another two days. While, up to 88.2mm rain was recorded in the city until Friday, only 38mm was recorded at Neyyattinkara and no rain was recorded at IMD stations at Nedumangaud close to where the dam is situated.
Due to the gradual flow from the catchment area during the past week, the levels at Peppara dam has risen to 103.30 metres on Friday as against the maximum storage height of 107.5 metres here. The shutters of the Aruvikkara reservoir on the downstream of Peppara were opened on Thursday. “During 2015, the South West Monsoon had filled up the dam to 106 metres. Though we are unlikely to achieve such a feat, we would just need two-three days of very strong rains to avoid scarcity during the summers,” said a Kerala Water Authority official.
However, both irrigation and Kerala Water Authority officials said that the pattern of rain was similar to 2016 when drought hit the district. “Not even half of the rains that lashed city areas came down in catchment areas,” said an irrigation official. At Neyyar dam, the water levels rose to 82.2 metre by Friday because of rains that lashed the adjoining forest before Onam. “The maximum level of 84.7 would be impossible without a strong North East Monsoon,” irrigation officials added. Meanwhile, Corporation officials had started cleaning up drains in the city to avert flooding if the rains persisted.
