Evacuation of people begins in Idukki

Water level in Mullaperiyar dam crosses 141 feet

A bamboo bench in a park near the boat-landing station at Thekkady in Idukkidistrict goes under water after the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam crossedthe 141-ft mark.

The Idukki district administration initiated measures to evacuate 120 families living on the Periyar riverbed in the wake of the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam crossing 141 ft on Saturday. In an emergency message to the District Collector, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy directed the district administration to evacuate the families living on the riverbed downstream on Saturday night itself.

Additional District Magistrate V.R. Mohanan Pillai, in charge of the District Collector, was camping at Vandiperiyar to oversee the evacuation process.

A police team under the Kattappana Dy.SP was on standby and 30 Fire and Rescue Services personnel were also deputed to the area. Control rooms were opened at seven villages and vehicles and equipment made ready for evacuating more people from nearby areas.

Mr. Mohanan Pillai told The Hindu that 400 people living on the riverbed would be evacuated on Saturday night itself and more people would be moved to camps to be opened at Vandiperiyar, Chappathu, and Upputhara.

The Theni district administration on Saturday handed over the second warning message to the Idukki district administration and an alert message would be issued to the people prior to the water level reaching 142 ft. The KSEB started installing lights in areas which were likely to affected. Sirens and other alert systems were also erected at the village offices. Officials of the Revenue Department were asked not to take leave and make themselves available to face any crisis situation.

Sources in the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department said there was heavy rain in the region and the release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam was increased to 900 cft per second from 456 cft per second on Friday. The inflow into the dam increased to 3,327 cft per second on Saturday as there was rainfall of 4.2 m.m.

Repair works

Tamil Nadu on Saturday continued repair works of the spillway shutter 13 which had been found dysfunctional. The keys of educational institutions to be opened as shelters in case of an emergency were handed over to the officials. However, the opening of the shelter homes would be considered once the water level reached 142 ft, said a revenue official.