Staff Reporter Kumali: Spillway shutters to Kerala at Mullaperiyar Dam were opened against the backdrop of rising water levels following hea...
Staff Reporter
The 3,4 shutters on the spillway are raised 35 cm each. At seven o'clock Tamil Nadu sounded the first siren. The second siren sounded at 7.15 and the third siren sounded at 7.24 and the third shutter was raised at 7.29. A minute later the number four shutter was also raised.
Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan and Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine are staying in Kumily to monitor the situation. The two ministers had reached the Mullaperiyar dam by boat from Kumily in the morning.
At present 534 cubic feet of water per second is flowing into Kerala from two shutters. Minister Rajan said more shutters would have to be raised as the rains continue in the catchment area of Mullaperiyar dam. The dam receives 3108 cubic feet of water per second. Tamil Nadu carries 2300 cubic feet. With this, the water level in the dam started rising.
Minister Roshi Augustine said there was no cause for concern on the coast and that people living in low-lying areas such as Vallakkadavu, Chapath and Upputhara, where the water first arrives, have been relocated. 21 camps were opened in seven villages and 1079 people from 350 families were relocated.
Mullaperiyar Dam has no shutters. Therefore, water flows into Idukki through the side spillway. Five of the total 13 spillway shutters will open. The released water will reach Periyar and after 38 km it will reach Idukki reservoir.
Idukki is generating maximum electricity and discharging water. However, the power department has said that a shutter will have to be opened when the water from Mullaperiyar arrives.
Keywords: Mullaperiyar dam, Idukki Dam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Vallakkadavu, Chapath, Upputhara
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