Mullaperiyar Dam Water Level Stands at 122.60 Feet, Within Safe Limits
The water level in the Mullaperiyar dam stood at 122.60 feet on Thursday, comfortably below the maximum permissible level of 142 feet. The dam recorded an inflow of 578 cusecs and a discharge of 800 cusecs, according to official data.
Meanwhile, the Vaigai dam in the neighbouring region registered a level of 35.99 feet, against its maximum capacity of 71 feet. Inflow into the Vaigai dam was measured at 145 cusecs, with a discharge of 86 cusecs.
The combined storage in the Periyar credit stood at 3,747.24 million cubic feet (mcft). The Periyar credit refers to the water sharing arrangement between Tamil Nadu and Kerala under the 1886 treaty, allowing Tamil Nadu to store water in the Mullaperiyar dam.
Rainfall recorded in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on Thursday was modest, with the highest reading at Mettupatti (6.4 mm), followed by Peranai (4.6 mm), Chittampatti (2.6 mm), Kallandiri (2.2 mm), Kodaikanal (1.6 mm), Melur (1.2 mm), and near the Mullaperiyar dam (0.4 mm).
The Mullaperiyar dam, located in Kerala's Idukki district but operated by Tamil Nadu, is a crucial water source for irrigation and drinking water supply in southern Tamil Nadu districts. The dam has been a subject of periodic discussions between the two states over safety concerns, with Kerala seeking a new dam and Tamil Nadu advocating for the strengthening of the existing structure.
Officials stated that the current water levels are within normal operational parameters for this time of the year. The dam is monitored regularly, and the inflow-outflow balance is being tracked as the southwest monsoon progresses.
The data, released by the Public Works Department, provides a routine update on reservoir positions. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the precipitation patterns in the catchment areas, which determine the inflow and storage levels in the coming weeks.
