With water levels rising due to heavy rains in the catchment areas, a red alert was issued in respect of 10 dams in Kerala, two shutters of Kakki dam here were opened and pilgrimage to Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala has been put on hold for now, state Revenue Minister K Rajan said on Monday.

Rajan and state Health Minister Veena George said it has been decided to open the Kakki dam to release around 100-200 cumex water which would increase the water level of Pampa river by around 15 cm.