IDUKKI: With the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam reaching 140.3 feet against its permissible level of 142 feet on Friday, the Kerala Government has decided to take safety measures to protect those living downstream.
The decision was taken by Idukki ADM V R Mohanan Pillai, acting on behalf of the District Collector, after holding discussions with Nivedita P Haran officiating as Chief Secretary, and Theni Collector Palanisamy. The decision was taken after a meeting held in Kumily in this regard, Pillai said.
Tamil Nadu has been asked to alert Kerala about six hours in advance of the dam level reaching 142 feet, he said.
Letters in this regard have been sent to Theni Collector and the PWD Department of Tamil Nadu, which is responsible for the upkeep of the dam.
According to him, Tamil Nadu has conveyed that it would only consider opening the shutters of the spillway if the water level reaches 142 feet.
Pillai said all mechanisms are in place to ensure safety of the people. Measures have been taken to relocate 129 families residing on the banks of the Periyar to safer places if needed, he said. Control rooms that work 24/7 have been opened at the Idukki collectorate, Peermedu taluk office and the village offices of Kumily, Manjumala, Vandiperiyar, Kanjiyar and Ayyapankoil.
In all, 200 policemen have been posted at Vandiperiyar, Kumily and Upputhara police stations. KSEB has been asked to repair street lights at all vulnerable points and coordinate in illuminating identified zones.