Kerala CM Chandy said the water level could be reduced by diverting the excess waters
Water level at Mullaiperiyar dam is nearing the contentious 142-foot mark
Chennai: The public works department on Friday issued a flood warning to people living in the downstream of the Mullaiperiyar dam as the water level is nearing the contentious 142-foot mark.“We have issued the first flood warning as the water level touched 140 feet. We have alerted Idukki district in Kerala which is downstream of Mullaiperiyar dam. This is only a standard procedure as the water level is approaching the full reservoir level of 142 feet,” a PWD official said, adding that the second and third warning would be issued when the water level touched 141 feet and 142 feet.
The department is monitoring the water level closely and once it touched 142 feet, the sluice gate would be opened to release surplus water, the official said. With heavy rains lashing the catchment areas, the water level touched 140.4 feet on Friday afternoon as against the maximum level of 142 feet. The inflow was 3400 cusecs and discharge 900 cusecs.
“If the rain continues to lash, the water level will touch 142 feet by Sunday night or Monday morning,” the official hoped. Even as farmers in Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Sivagangai and Ramanathapuram districts, who will benefit from the increased water level, rejoiced, Kerala’s Idukki district is taking precautionary steps to meet any eventuality. Meanwhile, Kerala’s irrigation and administration chief engineer Lathika inspected Mullaiperiyar dam on Friday.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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