Thu Jun 26 15:10:58 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Heavy rainfall in Idukki, Kerala, India has caused the Idukki reservoir’s water level to rise significantly, exceeding last year’s level by approximately 25 feet. The district administration is closely monitoring the situation, with some areas recording over 200mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period. Local organizations have been distributing rain gauges to farmers to improve localized data collection. A red alert has been issued, leading to the suspension of tourism, a holiday for educational institutions, and restrictions on nighttime travel and mining activities.
**News Article:**
**Idukki on Red Alert as Heavy Rains Swell Reservoir, Triggering Safety Measures**
*Idukki, Kerala, India – June 26, 2025* – Idukki district is under a red alert after experiencing torrential rainfall, leading to a dramatic rise in the water level of the Idukki reservoir. As of Thursday, the reservoir’s level stood at 2,356.06 feet, a significant jump from the 2,331.70 feet recorded on the same day last year.
The district administration reported an average rainfall of 111.66 mm in the past 24 hours, with some areas, like Peerumade taluk, experiencing as much as 148.11 mm. A private plantation, Bison Valley Estate, recorded a staggering 250 mm of rainfall within the same period.
Concerned about the potential for flooding, authorities have taken precautionary measures. Idukki District Collector issued an order suspending all water-related, trekking, and adventure tourism activities. Educational institutions, including anganwadis, nurseries, schools, and colleges, have been declared closed for the day. Additionally, nighttime travel and mining activities are banned to minimize risks associated with landslides and other potential hazards. Plantation work has also been suspended.
Local organizations, including the Cardamom Planters Federation and the Swaruma Charitable Society, have been working to improve localized rainfall data collection by distributing rain gauges to farmers. This initiative aims to provide more granular information to aid in early warning systems and mitigation efforts.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as the weather pattern develops. The Moolamattom power plant is currently operating at a high level, generating 17.118 mu of electricity on Wednesday.