Mullaperiyar dam row: Tamil Nadu files counter affidavit in SC, denies charges of mismanagement

The Tamil Nadu government filed a counter affidavit before the Supreme Court denying the allegations of mismanagement of the release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam.

The 21-page affidavit, filed by the Tamil Nadu government on August 24, claimed that it was incorrect for the Kerala government to say that Tamil Nadu had not alerted Kerala on time, news agency ANI reported. 

Kerala government, on August 23, told the Supreme Court that the sudden release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam by the Tamil Nadu government was one of the reasons for the devastating deluge in the state.

The government of Tamil Nadu, in the affidavit, stated that it was fully committed to the safety of the people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The affidavit further added that the dam was safe and has no constructional or operational loopholes. It stated that the designed Maximum Water Level (MWL) of the dam is 155 ft. for which the safety was examined and was found to be safe by the Supreme Court.

The Tamil Nadu government maintained giving enough warnings to the Kerala government on water level crossing 136 ft in the Mullaperiyar dam. It also stated that the overall condition of the dam was found satisfactory after multiple checks done by various authorities. 

Mullaperiyar dam, situated at the confluence of Mullayar and Periyar rivers, was built under an accord in the year 1886. Although the dam is built in Kerala, Tamil Nadu government operates it. 

Kerala has pressed for the dam's operating rights for long. Tamil Nadu government maintains that the dam is safe. A 2014 Supreme Court directive allowed Tamil Nadu to increase the water level from 136 feet to a maximum of 142 feet.

On August 15, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sought Tamil Nadu's intervention to reduce the rising water level of Mullaperiyar dam.

Pinarayi requested Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami to direct authorities to release water from Mullaperiyar dam in order to bring the water level down to 139 ft.

CM Vijayan's office fears the widespread devastation that would follow if water from the dam is released suddenly and therefore, "water levels must be lowered immediately," a statement from Vijayan's office noted.