Mullaperiyar dam is safe; flood regulation being done as per rule, says Stalin

“Our dam management team is very focused on the precautionary measures,” says the Chief Minister

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to his counterpart in Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday reassuring him and the people of Kerala that the Mullaperiyar dam was safe and flood regulation of the dam was being done as per the Rule Curve and Gate Operation schedule approved by the Central Water Commission in February 2021.

In his letter, Mr. Stalin said, “Our dam management team is very focused on the precautionary measures to be taken on time for ensuring the safety of the people residing in the downstream of the Mullaperiyar dam. All the officers in charge of the dam have been adequately instructed to take all necessary measures and maintain continuous communication with the officers at your end.”

Mr. Vijayan, on Friday, had sought the urgent intervention of Mr. Stalin to regulate the water discharge from the dam to keep the water level within the safety threshold.

In his reply, Mr. Stalin said the inflows received in the first week of August were moderate and that the rainfall in the catchment area was also comparatively less than the rainfall in the downstream areas of the dam.

“Even then, the field officers were instructed to divert waters to the Vaigai basin to the maximum extent possible and to scrupulously follow the rule levels and Gate Operation Schedule, as per the flood regulation protocol,” he said.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said when the water level was at 136 feet at 7 p.m. on August 4, the State’s field officers intimated the authorities in Kerala at 7.40 p.m itself, about the possibility of opening the spillway gates on August 5. This was done in anticipation of future inflows and this information was also sent to the District Collector of Idukki and other officers concerned in Kerala, he said.

“The spillway shutters were opened on August 5 at 1 p.m. From then onwards, the spillway discharge was stepped up incrementally, considering the variation in inflows, carefully avoiding sudden releases. As on August 8 at 7 a.m., the water level of the dam stands at 138.85 feet and the average inflow was 6,942 cusecs, with a spillway discharge of about 5,000 cusecs. This is done in total conformity with the approved Rule Curve,” he said.