Vijayan writes to Stalin after Mullaperiyar shutters opened without warning

A day after Tamil Nadu opened the shutters of Mullaperiyar Dam at wee hours without warning, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to TN counterpart M.K. Stalin. Several houses in Kerala were submerged, creating a furore.

Pointing out that the “shutter release at the rate of around 5,700 cusecs has been the cause of flooding due to high water levels and consequent inundation of houses in the area'', CM Vijayan said that the release of water has to be planned. “The officials at the dam site need to keep monitoring the situation. The release of water has to be planned, gradual and only during that time after giving adequate warning to the people in downstream areas. The discharge of water in the night and early morning without prior warning creates avoidable panic and risk,'' the CM wrote.

As per the letter, shutters VI to V8 were opened at 3am today. Warning was not given before discharging 6,413 cusecs, which was subsequently increased to 8,017 cusecs at 4am by opening all the 10 shutters. “I seek your kind intervention in the matter so that anxiety and apprehensions of the people living in the downstream areas are put to rest.”

He also requested Stalin to issue directions that shutters be opened only during day time and after giving a proper warning.

Vijayan reiterated that his government believes that Tamil Nadu should get adequate water while ensuring the safety of the people in Kerala.

“As neighbouring states, we need to discuss and devise strategies to tackle the consequences of the climatic pattern changes, which are having a serious impact on lives and livelihood of people,'' he said.

Mullaperiyar had been a contentious matter between the two states. The dam is located in Kerala but operated by Tamil Nadu as per an agreement signed during the colonial period.