Mullaperiyar dam water level at 121.95 ft; rain brings steady inflow
The water level in the Mullaperiyar dam stood at 121.95 feet on Tuesday, against the maximum permissible level of 142 feet. The dam recorded an inflow of 919 cusecs and a discharge of 800 cusecs, according to official data.
The Mullaperiyar dam, located in Kerala's Idukki district, is a key irrigation source for Tamil Nadu. It is operated by the Tamil Nadu government under a long-standing agreement. The current water level remains well below the storage capacity, reflecting the seasonal pattern of the southwest monsoon.
In the neighbouring Vaigai dam, the water level was 36.42 feet, with the maximum level fixed at 71 feet. The inflow was 198 cusecs, while the discharge stood at 86 cusecs. The combined storage in the Periyar credit account was 3,645.04 million cubic feet (mcft).
Rainfall recorded in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on Tuesday was moderate across the catchment areas. Mullaperiyar dam recorded 39.2 mm of rain, Thekkadi received 30.4 mm, Shanmuganadhi dam 7.4 mm, Gudalur 4.8 mm, Uthamapalayam 1.6 mm and Veerapandi 1.4 mm.
The steady inflow into the dams is crucial for meeting the irrigation needs of the districts in Tamil Nadu's Theni, Madurai and Ramanathapuram regions. The Periyar credit system allows Tamil Nadu to share water from the Mullaperiyar reservoir as per legal and inter-state agreements.
Officials are closely monitoring the water levels and inflow patterns. With the monsoon still active in parts of the Western Ghats, the reservoir levels could rise further. The state's water resources department has maintained routine surveillance, checking the dam's structural safety and ensuring that all parameters are within prescribed limits.
Historically, the Mullaperiyar dam has been a subject of contention between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over safety concerns. Kerala has periodically called for a new dam, while Tamil Nadu has opposed it, citing the dam's stability and the existing legal framework. However, the current operations continue under the supervision of the Supervisory Committee appointed by the Supreme Court.
The Vaigai dam, which receives water from the Periyar and other rivers, supports both drinking water supply and agriculture in the southern districts. The ongoing rainfall has improved the storage position, offering some relief to farmers who depend on these reservoirs for irrigation.
Water managers are also tracking the daily water budget—inflow, outflow and storage—to plan releases for the coming weeks. Discharge levels are adjusted based on rainfall and downstream requirements to prevent both shortages and flooding.
As the monsoon progresses, the authorities have advised residents in downstream areas to remain alert to any changes in discharge patterns. Regular bulletins are issued to keep the public informed about the dam operations.
The data from Tuesday's monitoring reflects a healthy monsoon recharge, though authorities maintain that the reservoirs are still far from their full capacity. The final storage position before the end of the monsoon season will determine the water availability for the rest of the year.
