Kottayam: Panic has gripped the people in Idukki district after the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam rose to 138 feet on Thursday evening from 137.8 feet in the morning.
According to Idukki district administration, 1,393 cubic metres of water is flowing into the dam in a second. The water level had increased slightly on Thursday from 137.5 feet on Wednesday.
Elaborate preparations were made by the authorities to handle any situation. Emergency measures, including the evacuation of the people in the low-lying areas, will be taken in case of further rise in the water level.
“There is no need for panic right now. The water will be released if the level reaches above 140 feet after discussing with Tamil Nadu. At least 129 families of Vallakadavu downstream the dam will be evacuated in case of need,” district collector S. Ratheeshan told Deccan Chronicle.
Alerts have been given to the officials to take action in case of any emergency. The increase in the water level is due to the heavy rain in Tamil Nadu and increase in water level in the Vaiga dam, which prevented the state from releasing water to that state. Some 511 cubic feet of water per second is released to Tamil Nadu on an average.
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