| Kerala News |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Kerala CM reiterates Govt stand on constructing new dam in Mullaperiyar |
|
|
 |
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday reiterated his Government's stand on constructing a new dam at Mullaperiyar.
The Chief Minister said this in the State Assembly while replying to Udumbanchola MLA MM Mani who raised peoples' fears over the safety over the 124 year old Mullaperiyar dam in Idukki district.
Stating that there was no danger to the Mullaperiyar dam, the Chief Minister said legal action will be taken against those creating panic among people on the safety of the dam.
There were deliberate attempts to propagate false information on the safety of the dam through social media, he said adding that all issues between Tamil Nadu and Kerala will be solved through talks.
Responding to reports that the water level of Mullaperiyar dam touches 137 ft, the Chief Minister brushed aside fears of any danger to the dam.
On Sunday, the Kerala Government urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to take urgent steps to ensure that maximum quantity of water is drawn from Mullaperiyar Dam through the tunnel to Vaigai Dam and to gradually release the water downstream.
In a letter to his counterpart in Tamil Nadu, Pinarayi Vijayan said "The current inflow to Mullaperiyar dam is 2109 c/s and the discharge level is 1750 c/s as on October 20, 2021 at 1600 hrs."
"At present there is a net inflow of around 2109 cusecs accumulating in the reservoir even after the diversion from Tamil Nadu side."
"With the current inflow it is feared that the reservoir level may reach 142 ft once the torrential rain intensifies. Hence, there would arise an urgent need for the gradual release of water from Mullaperiyar Dam through the tunnel to Tamil Nadu," he said.
Urging to give immediate directions to the authorities concerned in Tamil Nadu, Pinarayi Vijayan said Tamil Nadu must ensure that maximum quantity of water is drawn from Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala through the tunnel to Vaigai Dam in Tamil Nadu and to gradually release the water downstream.
Pointing out the recent floods that ravaged Kerala from October 16, 2021 causing heavy floods and damage to the life and property of people across our State, he said many parts of the State experienced
severe landslides and heavy flooding resulting in many deaths in the districts
of Kottayam and Idukki.
In view of the heavy rainfall in the catchment area of Mullaperiyar Dam
when the water level was at 133.45 ft on October 18, 2021, the Kerala Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resource
Department, had addressed their respective counterparts in Tamil Nadu to
ensure the safety and security of the people living in the downstream of
Mullaperiyar Dam.
On October 19, when the Idukki reservoir had reached the FRL, 3 shutters
of the Cheruthoni dam of the Idukki reservoir were opened, after the water
level had crossed the red alert level. Prior to the opening of the Cheruthoni
Dam, water from the ldamalayar dam was also released at 0600 hrs on October 19.
Pinarayi Vijayan also request MK Stalin that arrangements may be made to intimate Kerala about the opening the shutters at least 24 hours in advance to help us to take precautionary measures for ensuring the safety of the people living downstream of the dam.
Pinarayi also hoped that the historic ties between Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the cordialrelationship between the people will be further strengthened under MK Stalin's leadership.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|