Mullaperiyar Dam will be opened on October 29, Kerala is prepared, says Minister Roshy Augustine, action against those who promote propaganda

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine said that the Mullaperiyar Dam will be opened on the 29th.

Roshi Augustine said that Tamil Nadu had informed Kerala that the Mullaperiyar dam would be opened at 7 am on the 29th if the water level did not fall. Kerala has already made preparations before opening the dam. Therefore, the state is ready for this.

The current water level in Mullaperiyar is 137.75 feet. The current flow is 3800 cubic feet per second. The minister said that 2300 cubic feet of water is being carried to Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, Roshy Augustine has said that there is no change in the stand that water level in the Mullaperiyar dam should be fixed at 137 feet. Rajan also told the media that the preparations for the safety of the people in case of heavy rains have been completed. The two were speaking to the media together after a meeting to check the preparations against the backdrop of rising water level in the Mullaperiyar dam.

"The aim of the government is to allay the concerns of the people on the Mullaperiyar issue. There is no compromise on the position that a new dam should be constructed. Kerala is ready to give enough water to Tamil Nadu. Kerala's position has been made clear in the Supreme Court. In the current scenario, Kerala's stand is to reduce the water level to 136 feet. The Supreme Court will be informed that the rule curve of Tamil Nadu of 138 feet is not acceptable to Kerala. Tamil Nadu had decided to open the dam and release water when the water level reaches 138 feet as per the existing rule curve till October 30", Roshy Augustine said.

The Chief Minister statement in the assembly was against spreading unnecessary fear on social media on the Mullaperiyar issue. Tamil Nadu's lawyer in the Supreme Court has tried to twist this so that there is no concern about the dam. The Supreme Court has asked Kerala to clarify the matter. All propaganda to the contrary is baseless.The water level in the Idukki Dam has been reduced to accommodate the release of water from the Mullaperiyar at 138 feet, Minister Roshy Augustine said.

According to Revenue Minister K Rajan, preparations have been completed to open 20 camps in the 27 km stretch of the Mullaperiyar. Rajan informed. "Two Deputy Collectors have been appointed at Upputhara and Vandiperiyar. The RDO was tasked with coordinating the activities. Officials have been instructed to camp on the spot to deal with emergency. Obstacles to the smooth flow of water from the Mullaperiyar to Idukki have been removed".

"The district administration has taken over the phone numbers of more than 3,000 members of 884 families. This is to inform them directly in case of any kind of danger. This will help to avoid unnecessary fear. No propaganda of any kind will be allowed, including on social media", Rajan said.

Minister Rajan said that the district administration has been directed to file a case against those who are conducting such campaigns.