The concern over the overflow of the Mullaperiyar dam has abated for now with the water level remaining static at 135.2 ft on Thursday.
Though it is near to the full reservoir level of 136 ft, the water level has been remaining the same from the morning. A team of officials led by Idukki Sub-Collector Mohammed Y. Safirulla is camping at the area.
“As of now there is no need of any evacuation as Tamil Nadu is drawing maximum water from the dam. Rainfall in the catchment area is less compared to previous days. Even if water overflows through the spillway, it will reach downstream areas through the Periyar only at a low level,” said District Collector Ajith Patil.
“There is no plan for evacuation and only precautionary measures have been taken,” said Mr. Safirulla. He said the water level was static from the morning in the reservoir and there was no panic situation with a considerable dip in rainfall.
Water from the spillway reaches the Idukki reservoir, which is also near to the full level. Generation at the Moolamattom power house has been increased.
The power production on Thursday was at a high of 14.85 MU.
The water level in the Idukki dam was 2,395 ft against the full reservoir level of 2,403 ft. The catchment area received 48.2 mm rain, as per the estimate taken in the morning.
“With the increased production level, rise in the water level is being kept at a minimum,” said an official of the control room opened by the KSEB at Cheruthoni.
Though, seven relief camps had been opened downstream of the Mullaperiyar dam, from Vallakkadavu to Ayyappancoil, no one had been accommodated there.
“At present, there is no need of any evacuation and if the rain subsides, the water level may fall,” said Peerumade Tahsildar K.N. Sasidharan adding that there was no compromise on precautionary measures.
