IDUKKI: District Collector K Jeevan Babu on Sunday said security measures will be beefed up to ensure the protection of people staying in the downstream. “People should not panic as the district administration has made all necessary arrangements to ensure the safety of people,” he said.
The Collector was speaking at the emergency meeting convened by him at the Vandiperiyar panchayat hall to discuss and evaluate the arrangements regarding the preventive measures and actions to be taken before the shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam are opened.
He said the shutters of the dam will be opened only when the water level reaches the maximum storage capacity of 142 ft. “The first warning will be issued once the water level reaches 136 ft. The public will be continuously informed as the water level goes on increasing,” he said.
The Collector said the public must not be worried by the false messages spreading through social media. “If the district administration plans to open the shutters of the dam, the officials concerned will do it only after officially informing the public,” he said. RDO M P Vinod has been given the charge to coordinate the activities of various departments.