<p class="title">As inflow into the Idukki reservoir showed a marked reduction, the possibilities of opening sluice gates in the Cheruthoni Dam was remote on Thursday.</p>.<p>An orange alert was announced late on Tuesday amid reports that the rising water level could lead authorities to conduct a trial run before the shutters are raised, even as the district administration continued to take up preparatory measures in downstream areas.</p>.<p>At 9 am on Thursday, the water level stood at 2396.12 ft, as against a full reservoir level of 2403 ft. Power Minister M M Mani is scheduled to visit the dam later in the day, after holding a review meeting in Idukki.</p>.<p>A decision on the trial run is also expected to be taken during the day. The trial run was initially expected to be conducted after the water level crossed 2397 ft.</p>.<p>The State Load Dispatch Centre under the Kerala State Electricity Board said the storage in Idukki reservoir was at 92 % of its capacity on Wednesday. The Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu dams constitute the Idukki Hydroelectric Project with sluices built into the Cheruthoni dam.</p>.<p>With the inflow reducing, the authorities were learnt to be deciding against opening the sluices. The minister, however, told reporters after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that water would be released, in a phased manner, based on the situation.</p>.<p>Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas had earlier said there was no cause for panic since the rise in water level was not alarming. After a steady spell of rain in catchment areas of the reservoir, the southwest monsoon has also slowed down in Idukki district over the past couple of days.</p>
<p class="title">As inflow into the Idukki reservoir showed a marked reduction, the possibilities of opening sluice gates in the Cheruthoni Dam was remote on Thursday.</p>.<p>An orange alert was announced late on Tuesday amid reports that the rising water level could lead authorities to conduct a trial run before the shutters are raised, even as the district administration continued to take up preparatory measures in downstream areas.</p>.<p>At 9 am on Thursday, the water level stood at 2396.12 ft, as against a full reservoir level of 2403 ft. Power Minister M M Mani is scheduled to visit the dam later in the day, after holding a review meeting in Idukki.</p>.<p>A decision on the trial run is also expected to be taken during the day. The trial run was initially expected to be conducted after the water level crossed 2397 ft.</p>.<p>The State Load Dispatch Centre under the Kerala State Electricity Board said the storage in Idukki reservoir was at 92 % of its capacity on Wednesday. The Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu dams constitute the Idukki Hydroelectric Project with sluices built into the Cheruthoni dam.</p>.<p>With the inflow reducing, the authorities were learnt to be deciding against opening the sluices. The minister, however, told reporters after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that water would be released, in a phased manner, based on the situation.</p>.<p>Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas had earlier said there was no cause for panic since the rise in water level was not alarming. After a steady spell of rain in catchment areas of the reservoir, the southwest monsoon has also slowed down in Idukki district over the past couple of days.</p>