With the water level steadily increasing in the Mullaiperiyar dam, the five-member sub-committee on Monday inspected the main dam, the baby dam, the tunnel area and the spots where the water level is read and pressure monitored.
Widespread rains in the catchments in the past 10-14 days have pushed up the level to 128.8 feet. In less than 24 hours, it is likely to touch the 130-foot mark.
The members, led by Central Water Commission Executive Engineer Umberji Harish Girish, also inspected the manual operation of shutters and gearbox and the 145-foot-long tunnel, and monitored the seepage level.
Mr. Harish told reporters that the inspection was routine. “We are going to stay here. We will visit the dam frequently and monitor the storage. We will pass all information to the supervisory committee periodically,” he said.
The other members of the sub-committee are Kerala Irrigation Department Executive Engineer George Daniel; Kerala Irrigation Department Assistant Engineer N.S. Praseed; PWD Madurai Division Executive Engineer A. Madhavan; and Sub-Divisional Officer R. Soundaram.
Meanwhile, Mr. Girish advised Kerala officials to supply electricity to the dam quickly to lift the shutters of surplus weirs. Kerala officials promised him that they would take up the matter with their government. The sub-committee will meet again when the level touches 130 feet.
