High-level meeting of Kerala and TN held to discuss Mullaperiyar dam issue

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 26 (UNI) A high-level meeting of Kerala and Tamil Nadu Governments was held on Tuesday to discuss issues related to 124-year-old Mullaperiyar dam, Kerala Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine said this evening.
“In the wake of incessant rains at the catchment areas, Kerala urged Tamil Nadu to keep the water level of Mullaperiyar dam at 137 ft. The Kerala Government took this stand in view of Tamil Nadu insisting to raise the water level to 142 ft,” the Minister said.
He said the Kerala Government also urged Tamil Nadu 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.
The online meeting was attended by top officials from both the states, including Kerala Chief Secretary Dr VP Joy, Tamil Nadu Additional Chief Secretary (PWD) Sandeep Saxena and Central Water Commission member Gulshan Raj, who is also chairman of High-level committee of Mullaperiyar.
Brushing aside fears of any danger to the dam, the Minister said there is an urgent need for the gradual release of water from Mullaperiyar Dam through the tunnel to Tamil Nadu.
Earlier, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to take urgent steps to 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.
In a letter to MK Stalin, the Chief Minister pointed 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 Kerala experienced
severe landslides and heavy flooding resulting in many deaths in the districts
of Kottayam and Idukki.
Pinarayi Vijayan also requested 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.
Earlier, Minister Roshy Augustine said Kerala and Tamil Nadu will discuss matters relating to the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar to ensure safety of the people living in the downstream.