Cumbum Valley farmers started their grand celebration on Wednesday, though the level in the Mullaperiyar dam did not touch the 142-foot mark, owing to the absence of rainfall in the catchments. It stood at 141.65 feet.
A section of MDMK workers burst crackers at the Penny Cuick Memorial and party general secretary Vaiko, along with farmers, garlanded the statue of the architect of the dam and sprinkled flowers in the Periyar near the Lower Camp.
He also distributed sweets to the public and exchanged greetings.
Hundreds of Kerala policemen were deployed at the Kumuli checkpoint to prevent the movement of people from Tamil Nadu to the dam.
Policemen were posted on the roadside at all vantage points at Chinnamanur, Uthamapalayam, Cumbum and Goodalur.
