Sluice gates of Pykara Dam opened as water levels reach full capacity

Water from the Pykara Dam was released during the weekend as the reservoir reached full capacity due to continuous spells of rain in the Nilgiris.

According to officials, the southwest monsoon, which began in May in the Nilgiris, has led to near-continuous rainfall across the district since early June. Initially, heavy rains were reported for more than 10 days and though the quantum of rain slightly reduced afterward, it has been raining continuously in the catchment areas, officials said. As a result, all the dams including Upper Bhavani, Avalanche, and Emerald have reached near-capacity.

In recent days, there has been good rainfall in the Nilgiris district, especially in the catchment areas. As a result, the Pykara Dam reached its total storage capacity of 100 feet. To ensure the safety of the dam, from the morning of Sunday (July 20, 2025), surplus water is being released through three sluice gates of the dam. The release of the water has also excited tourists, many of whom have been rushing to the dam to take pictures.

The surplus water released from the dam flows through the forest area and down into the Moyar river. Residents living on the riverbanks along the Moyar have been advised to move to safer locations and take precautions. Residents in Moyar, Masinagudi, and Thengumarahada have been urged to desist from bathing and fishing along the river due to chances of flash floods.