Local bodies in whose jurisdiction fall the banks of the Periyar, especially in Aluva and Paravur regions, were in the grip of tension right from Thursday morning as soon as it emerged that the release of water from Idamalayar dam to the river will far exceed the anticipated volumes, and the process of shifting people to relief camps began.
By late evening, over 2,300 persons had been shifted to 38 camps. District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla has declared a holiday for educational institutions, including professional colleges, in Kothamangalam, Kunnathunad, Aluva and Paravur taluks, Kadamakkudy and Cheranalloor panchayats, and Kalamassery municipality.
Though revenue authorities put up a brave face despite staring at a steep challenge, the rising water level in the Periyar from the morning offered little comfort. The rise was particularly discomforting even before the water released from Idamalayar dam reached the Periyar in Aluva and nearby areas.
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Thirteen villages in Aluva taluk had been marked out as susceptible to the rise of water and as the morning progressed 12 families from Kombanad village and three from Choornikkara had to be evacuated to relief camps.
Shortly thereafter, the Collector camped at Aluva guesthouse to coordinate the relief and rescue operations. Before long, a camp was opened in Eloor as well. The Thottumukham Parunthuranchi sand ghats in the Periyar was completely submerged around 11 a.m. As the situation turned grim, the Collector declared holiday for schools where relief camps were opened.
The situation in Kunnukara panchayat in Paravur taluk also became a matter of concern even as more camps were opened across multiple local body limits. Nearly 550 people were in relief camps, including 12 in Paravur taluk, by around 11.45 a.m amidst news that increased volume of water released from Idamalayar dam will reach Aluva by 3 p.m. and Paravur an hour later. In less than two hours, the number of people moved into relief camps almost exceeded 1,000. Earlier in the day, the famed Aluva Manappuram and adjoining Siva Temple were completely submerged in rising waters of the Periyar.
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The ground floor of the temple administrative office was also inundated around noon. Residents along the sand ghats were also asked to move out along with a direction to move their vehicles to safety. As water breached the backyard of her property, Bindu Sivaramakrishnan was mulling over moving her aged in-laws to the safety of the neighbour’s double-storied house.
Then in the evening, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority issued a detailed advisory for people along the banks of the Periyar vulnerable to the release of water from Cheruthoni dam, especially those who experienced flooding in 2013.