Rain for three days increases storage in Mullaperiyar dam by about 10 feet, says Minister

In just three days of rainfall, the storage level in Mullaperiyar dam had increased by about 10 feet, said Rural Development Minister I Periasamy here on Sunday.

Speaking to media persons after presiding over a review meeting at the Collectorate, he said that the storage in other dams in the district, including Vaigai, Sothuparai, Manjalar and Shanmuganadhi had received steady inflow.

“If the same trend continued for the next six or seven days, the Vaigai dam may reach its maximum level of 71 feet,” he added.

Appreciating the district administration and the the police, he said that the pro-active approach and swift response to any emergencies during the northeast monsoon had helped many needy people.

The district administration too had cleared encroachments on the waterbodies well ahead of the rainy season that even in the event of floods, water had not entered low-lying areas.

The people were safe largely during the rains, the Minister said and added that for those who had suffered part damage to their dwellings, the government would compensate adequately without delay.

Since the water discharge from the dams was being done now, the people close to the riverbed are advised to keep away and ensure that they were safe, Mr. Periasamy said and added that for drinking purposes 69 cusecs of water was discharged from Vaigai dam, while 1,400 cusecs was released from Mullaperiyar dam.

The PWD (Water Resources Department) officials were monitoring the release from other dams too.

On the vehicle movement on the ghat section, he said that since the traffic was heavy due to the Sabarimala season, the police and other departments had deployed sufficient number of personnel on duty.

District Monitoring Officer Lilly, Collector R.V. Shajeevana, Superintendent of Police Shivaprasad, MLAs, urban and rural local body elected members and revenue officials participated in the meeting. Later, the Minister inspected some of the catchment areas in the Vaigai dam and gave away relief measures to the public.