Kerala CM Tells Tamil Nadu To Draw Maximum Water From Mullaperiyar Dam Ahead Of Rain Alert

The Mullaperiyar dam has a full capacity of 142 ft and on Sunday held 136.85 ft water.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Chennai: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday requesting him to direct authorities to draw maximum water from the Mullaperiyar dam as Kerala expects the torrential rains to intensify and lead to a spate in the dam. The Mullaperiyar dam has a full capacity of 142 ft and on Sunday held 136.85 ft water.

According to a report on PTI, Pinarayi Vijayan said that the inflow to the dam was 2109 cusecs while the state discharged 1750 cusecs of water as of 4 pm on Sunday. Hence, with the same inflow the state fears that the dam will reach full capacity once the rain intensifies and will be forced to release water urgently from the dam to Tamil Nadu. 

Therefore, Vijayan requested Stalin to intervene in the matter and immediately direct officials to draw the maximum quantity of water from Mullaperiyar Dam with the help of the tunnel in Vaigai Dam.

He also requested Stalin to flag the Kerala government 24 hours prior to opening the shutters so that they can take precautionary measures and evacuate people residing downstream of the dam. 

The Kerala Chief Minister also recalled that the water level reached 133.4 ft on October 18 following which he held a meeting with Kerala state Chief Secretary and other officials for the safety of the people. The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) also held classes on the evacuation process for the people leaving on the banks of the Periyar river. 

Heavy rains impounded Kerala between October 15 and 16 which led to life losses, landslides, inundation of homes.