The Collector has urged Tamil Nadu authorities to open the shutters, if required, during daytime hours for better safety management.
Published Jun 28, 2025 | 10:24 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 28, 2025 | 10:24 AM
A view of the Mullaperiyar Dam. (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: The Idukki administration is evacuating over 3,000 people as Mullaperiyar dam nears 136 feet, amid heavy rain forecasts and a possible shutter opening by Tamil Nadu. Relief camps are ready, and activities in risky areas are banned. Long-standing disputes over the dam’s safety, outdated rules, and interstate tensions continue, with the Supreme Court urging cooperation between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Idukki district administration has stepped up preparations after the Tamil Nadu Irrigation Department announced it may open the shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam once the water level touches 136 feet.
Idukki District Collector V Vigneshwari has directed the revenue and police departments to shift 3,220 people from 883 families in Periyar, Manjumala, Upputura, Elappara, Ayyappankovil, Kanchiyar, Anavilasam, and Udumbanchola to safer locations by 8 pm on Friday, 27 June. Over 20 relief camps have been readied for the evacuees.
As of 4 pm on Friday, the dam’s water level stood at 135.25 feet.
The Collector has urged Tamil Nadu authorities to open the shutters, if required, during daytime hours for better safety management.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Idukki on Saturday, 28 June, warning of very heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within 24 hours.
All water-based recreational activities and trekking in landslide-prone areas have been temporarily banned.
Authorities have requested the public to remain vigilant and follow official safety instructions.
The Mullaperiyar Dam’s catchment area lies entirely within Kerala, making it an intrastate river. On 21 November 2014, the dam’s water level reached 142 feet for the first time in 35 years, and again on 15 August 2018, following heavy rains in Kerala.
Kerala has consistently criticised the 1886 leasing agreement and challenged its legality, particularly highlighting concerns over the safety of the 126-year-old dam. Discussions regarding the dam’s potential failure have been ongoing since 2009.
Tamil Nadu has opposed Kerala’s proposal to decommission the dam and construct a new one.
A major point of contention is the dam’s rule curve, which regulates reservoir storage levels, the timing of gate openings, and overall safety measures.
Kerala has raised concerns over Tamil Nadu’s outdated operational schedule and the lack of access to vital data due to terrain challenges and inadequate infrastructure.
In May, the Supreme Court has directed Kerala to cooperate with Tamil Nadu on maintenance work at the Mullaperiyar dam, following a petition filed by Tamil Nadu alleging that Kerala was obstructing essential maintenance activities at the dam site.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
