Kerala unilaterally replaces measurement scale at dam

Madurai, Nov 21 (UNI) In yet another action that may fuel tension over the Mullaiperiyar dispute, Kerala has unilaterally replaced the water measurement scale at the dam.

Revenue officials of Devikulam taluk had replaced the scale yesterday without intimating the Tamil Nadu side, a senior PWD official, incharge of the Periyar Division told UNI over phone.

Coming as it is ahead of the scheduled talks between the two states to reslove the stalemate and implement the Supreme Court order directing immediate increase of storage to an interim 142 ft, Kerala's action is being seen as a confrontational move.

The Periyar reservoir being a lake, measurement scales were put up at a few places, depending upon the slope, to monitor the level.

As one of the scales, put up to guage the level above 140 ft, which fell down recently was immediately fitted at the same place by the Dam Superintendent.

If Kerala harboured any doubts of a possible foul play, for which there existed no space, they could have clarified it with the PWD personnel at the dam or with the senior officials, it was pointed out.

Instead, it had resorted to such an aggressive method ignoring the fact that the dam was the property of Tamil Nadu, it was further observed.

Meanwhile, water level in the dam, which continued to be surplus since November 14, this morning was 136.8 ft with 4961 cusecs being drained into the Arabian Sea.

With the state government directing to maintain storage at the reduced level of 136 ft, officials made all efforts to divert the surplus to the Cumbum valley and downstream. However, the very next day, silt deposit in the tail race pit at lower camp off Gudalur foiled the attempts to draw water and crippled power generation also. Restoration works were on, officials said.

Since 1979 when the level was reduced to carry out strengthening works, the dam has surplussed 12 times and nearly 30 million cusecs were drained into the Arabian Sea.

UNI CR MSJ GC1607