Kottayam: It has been 60 years since the first leakage was detected in the 139-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam, but concerns over its safety persist. The issue gained prominence in 1964 when a leak was first reported, prompting a detailed inspection and the identification of necessary safety measures. The Government of Kerala sought the intervention of the Central Water Commission at that time.
A series of inspections, conducted by officials from the Centre and the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in 1964, 1978, and 1979, revealed that the dam was weak and failed to meet contemporary design safety standards. Initially, the dam’s full reservoir level (FRL) stood at 152 feet, but the water level was subsequently lowered to 136 feet in stages due to concerns about its structural integrity.
Despite these measures, Tamil Nadu constructed a partial wall along the dam without consulting Kerala, a move that went unchallenged by the latter at the time. Although Tamil Nadu downplays the leakage, claiming it is minimal, this assertion raises doubts, especially when compared to modern dams made with advanced technologies, which still experience higher levels of leakage.
As discussions around the dam’s safety continue, Kerala is expected to raise these concerns during an upcoming comprehensive security audit, stressing the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to ensure the safety of those living downstream of the aging structure.
