Kerala floods: Govt warns against spreading rumours about Mullaperiyar

Govt asks police to trace source of such messages and take action

Mullaperiyar [File] Mullaperiyar dam | PTI

At a time when social media is playing a key role in the rescue operations in flood-ravaged Kerala, a few anti-social elements are finding time to spread panic on social platforms prompting the state government to issue a stern warning.

Social media has been abuzz with rumours about cracks on Mullaperiyar dam ever since the water level reached 142 feet. The 123-year-old dam has been a bone of contention between Kerala and Tamil Nadu for decades with the former insisting on rebuilding a new dam citing its “decaying” condition. Though the dam situates in Kerala, its operations rights wrests with Tamil Nadu as per an agreement signed by the two states.

"Abstain from spreading misinformation on Whatsapp & social media networks. Many rumours and fake news are surfacing. Listen for official announcements. Follow the CMO handles in Twitter & FB; FB pages of Ministers, District Collectors, Kerala Police & Fire force,” tweeted the chief minister's office on Thursday.

In a letter written by the secretary to Kerala Government (water resources) to DGP Loknath Behara, the government has asked the police cyber cell to take action against rumour mongers. 

"Rumours are being spread in social media like Whatsapp, Facebook etc. that the Mullaperiyar dam has developed some cracks. This rumour is completely baseless and the dam has not developed any cracks as alleged. These rumours are creating unnecessary panic among people living in the downstreams in the Periyar catchment. The cyber cell is directed to trace the source of these rumours and take immediate action against the rumour mongers," read the letter. 

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Tamil Nadu government to consider lowering the water level at Mullaperiyar dam to 139 feet from the current 142 feet. The Supreme Court also ordered the National Crisis Management Committee to meet on Friday over Mullaperiyar dam storage and management. The committee has been asked to file a report by 2pm on Friday.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswamy said Mullaperiyar dam is safe and there is no need to reduce the water level.