Kerala rains: Water from Idukki Pambla dam released; residents along Periyar advised caution

Water was released from the Pambla dam in Kerala’s Idukki district on Saturday, July 4, 2026, after the district administration allowed the shutters to be opened as a precautionary measure following heavy rains in the catchment areas, officials said.

Pambla dam, operated by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) for hydroelectric power generation, has been allowed to discharge up to 500 cubic meters per second (cumecs) of water from 10 am, according to an official order issued by the District Collector.

Officials said that due to continuous rainfall, the water level in the reservoir rose to 251.70 metres, prompting the executive engineer to seek permission to regulate the flow. The maximum allowed water level of the dam is 253 meters.

The district administration said the decision was taken considering the heavy rainfall forecast in the district and in compliance with dam safety and disaster management rules.

Authorities have instructed dam operators to implement all precautionary measures prescribed under the Disaster Response Guidelines before releasing water.

While residents living on both banks of the Periyar River have been advised to be careful, the authorities have been instructed to take all necessary safety and precautionary measures.