Kochi in Kerala’s Ernakulam district braced for floods on Friday as the water level in the Periyar River went up after the fourth sluice gate of the Idukki dam was opened in the morning, prompting authorities to close schools and offices. The gushing waters of the reservoir, which is 130km away, has already inundated the low lying areas of the port city and posed a big threat to the Cochin international airport. “We are on a high alert. At least 4,000 people living in low-lying areas have been evacuated to relief camps. We have closed all educational institutions in affected areas,” said Ernakulam district collector Mohamed Safirulla.

Kochi in Kerala’s Ernakulam district braced for floods on Friday as the water level in the Periyar River went up after the fourth sluice gate of the Idukki dam was opened in the morning, prompting authorities to close schools and offices. The gushing waters of the reservoir, which is 130km away, has already inundated the low lying areas of the port city and posed a big threat to the Cochin international airport. “We are on a high alert. At least 4,000 people living in low-lying areas have been evacuated to relief camps. We have closed all educational institutions in affected areas,” said Ernakulam district collector Mohamed Safirulla.