Periyar dam surpluses; TN lets water into Idukki reservoir

Madurai, Nov 14 (UNI) With no direction from the State Government to hike the storage level in the Periyar reservoir, Public Works Department officials of Tamil Nadu have let the 'surplus' water into the Idukki dam in Kerala from today.

The storage in the Periyar dam, the lifeline of the five southern districts of Tamil Nadu, crossed the 'reduced' maximum level of 136 ft early this morning and stood at 136.40 ft, PWD officials said.

The shutters were not downed and the 'surplus' was being discharged into the downstream Idukki dam.

The Supreme Court, in February this year has ordered to immediately increase the storage level in the dam to 142 ft from the present 136 ft and later to revert to the original 152 ft as it existed prior to 1979.

Various farmer's organisations and political parties have called for implementing the apex court order, but Kerala was adamant in complying with the direction.

A consultative meeting organised by Tamil nationalist parties and ryot's fora is being held in the city today to decide the future course of action.

UNI CR ROY VA DS1432