Mullaperiyar Dam Water Level at 118.35 Feet, Far Below Danger Mark

The water level in the Mullaperiyar dam stood at 118.35 feet on Monday, well below the maximum permissible level of 142 feet. The dam recorded an inflow of 3,552 cusecs and a discharge of 147 cusecs, according to official data.

Meanwhile, the Vaigai dam recorded a water level of 33.89 feet, against its maximum capacity of 71 feet. The inflow into Vaigai dam was 115 cusecs, while the discharge stood at 86 cusecs. The combined storage in the Periyar credit was 2,809.14 million cubic feet (mcft).

Rainfall recorded in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on Monday was 54 mm at Mullaperiyar dam, 36.4 mm at Thekkadi, 4.8 mm at Gudalur, 4.2 mm at Shanmuganadhi dam, and 1.6 mm at Sothupparai dam.

The Mullaperiyar dam, located in Kerala's Idukki district, is operated by Tamil Nadu under a perpetual lease agreement. The dam has been a subject of periodic disputes between the two states, with Kerala raising concerns about its safety and Tamil Nadu insisting on increasing the storage capacity. However, the current water level remains significantly below the permissible limit, indicating no immediate cause for alarm.

Experts monitor dam levels closely during the monsoon season, as heavy rainfall can lead to sudden rises in inflow. The rainfall figures from the past 24 hours show moderate precipitation in the catchment areas. The discharge recorded is relatively low, suggesting controlled release of water.

Hydrological data such as this is crucial for managing water resources in the region. The Periyar credit system allows for the sharing of water between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, with the combined storage indicating the overall availability in the reservoir system.

Local authorities and dam safety officials continue to track these metrics on a daily basis. The public is advised to rely on official communications for updates on dam operations and potential alerts.