Spillway Gates Open at Kakkayam Dam as Heavy Rains Push Reservoir to 97% Capacity
Engineering teams at the Kuttiyadi Hydroelectric Project are managing controlled releases as water levels hit 757.67 metres. A red alert persists for downstream residents following 104mm of rainfall in just 24 hours.
Key takeaways
- Kakkayam dam has reached 97.31% of its total storage capacity as of August 3, 2026.
- Engineers opened two spillway gates by 0.25 feet to manage an inflow of 5.9241 million cubic metres.
- The reservoir level stands at 757.67 metres, nearly hitting the 758.05-metre maximum limit.
- Electricity generation consumed 3.3123 million cubic metres of water to produce 4.6831 million units.
- The Banasura dam control shaft gate remains closed to prevent additional water diversion into the system.
Emergency Discharges and Inflow Management
Authorities in Kozhikode district have maintained a red alert at the Kakkayam dam as two spillway gates remain open to manage surging water levels. On Sunday, August 2, 2026, engineers began discharging water by lifting the gates 0.25 feet each. This maneuver responds to intense inflow following sustained heavy rainfall across the catchment region, ensuring the structural safety of the reservoir that powers the Kuttiyadi Hydroelectric Project.
Critical Capacity Data
Measurement data recorded at 7 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026, shows the reservoir has reached 757.67 metres (2,485.8 feet). This figure places the dam just centimeters away from its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 758.05 metres. The current storage sits at 33.0672 million cubic metres, representing 97.31 per cent of its total capacity. This marks a significant volume increase over the same date last year, when storage was recorded at 86.55 per cent.
- Total Inflow (24 Hours): 5.9241 million cubic metres
- Spillway Release: 0.4793 million cubic metres
- Power Generation Usage: 3.3123 million cubic metres
- Electricity Produced: 4.6831 million units
Regional Rainfall and Preemptive Measures
The surge is attributed to 104 millimetres of rain falling in the Kakkayam area within the last 24 hours, contributing to a cumulative total of 2,990 millimetres since June 1. To prevent exacerbating the situation, officials confirmed that the control shaft gate linking the Banasura dam in Wayanad has been kept fully shut since June 29. District administrators advise residents on riverbanks downstream to maintain high vigilance while the spillway discharge continues.
Source: The Hindu — National
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