Mullaperiyar dam is safe: Tamil Nadu CM tells Kerala counterpart

Days after Kerala chief minister Pinrayi Vijayan sought the Tamil Nadu government's intervention to draw water from the Mullaperiyar Dam, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has responded to him by assuring that there was no threat to the safety of the Dam.

Also read: Kerala's situation is 'grave', says Supreme Court Defence chiefs meet as death toll mounts to 94

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying that the water in the dam was being stored at the permitted level of 142 feet as per the orders issued by the Supreme Court.

"I would like to state that the Mullaperiyar Dam is in safe in all aspects hydrologically, seismically and structurally as per the Supreme Court order on May 7, 2014. During the past, the dam was inspected by many experts, on several occasions, and they had also found that the dam was safe in all aspects," the letter said.

Palaniswami also added that there was no threat to the safety of the Mullaperiyar Dam. 

He further informed in the letter that periodical inspection of the apex court-appointed supervisory committee had taken place which highlighted that the last inspection was on August 4.

"Therefore, there is no threat to the safety of the dam and water is being stored at the permitted level of 142 feet as per the orders of the Supreme Court," Palaniswami said.

Palaniswami claimed that the "Kerala officials were not permitting their Tamil Nadu counterparts to gauge the rainfall in the catchment area."

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister further informed that they are in constant touch with Kerala State Electricity Board for restoring the power supply to the dam, but of no avail.

The state has deposited Rs 1.65 crore with the Kerala Electricity Board to restore power supply.

Mullaperiyar Dam is one of the dams whose shutters have been opened to release excess water following the heavy downpour in the state.

The Dam has reached its full level of 142 feet and Kerala Government wanted the water level to be at 139 feet.

The dam located in Kerala and operated by Tamil Nadu has always been a cause of contentious between both states.

Kerala had said the dam was dangerous, but the Tamil Nadu had always opposed this. 

The Supreme Court on Thursday described Kerala's flood situation as "grave" and directed a high power committee to convene a meeting by Friday on the rising water level in the Mullaperiyar dam.

The apex court agreed to hear a plea seeking Centre's mediation between Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments on the release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam.

Unabated rainfall and rising level of flood water prompted authorities to open floodgates of as many as 33 dams and reservoirs across the state. As many as 94 have been killed in flood and rain-related accidents in Kerala. 

Rise in flood waters in Periyar River due to the rains and the opening of shutters of all major dams, including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir, and Idamalayar, has severely affected lives of people in Kerala's low-lying areas.

(With inputs from ANI)