By PTI
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Tamil Nadu once more opening shutters of Mullaperiyar dam with out prior info and that too at evening, which led to water getting into properties of individuals residing in downstream areas, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday shot off a letter to his counterpart M Ok Stalin to direct that such steps are taken throughout day time and after enough warning.
On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu had at round 2.30 AM stated that it will be opening two shutters of the dam resulting from heavy rains in its catchment space and subsequently, between 5.00 AM to 9.00 AM it raised extra shutters as water within the reservoir reached 142 ft.
Thereafter, state Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine had instructed the media that the Tamil Nadu authorities could be requested to keep away from releasing water from Mullaperiyar dam at evening as was carried out within the small hours of Tuesday.
On Thursday, Tamil Nadu opened eight shutters of the dam, once more throughout wee hours of the day at round 3.00 AM, and with out enough warning launched 6,413 cusecs of water which was later elevated to eight,017 cusecs at 4.00 AM by elevating all 10 shutters, the CM stated in his letter.
“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. Directions need to be given that opening of shutters should be done only after sufficient warnings and during day time,” the letter to Tamil Nadu CM M Ok Stalin stated.
It additionally stated that officers on the dam website have to intently monitor the state of affairs within the reservoir and launch of water must be deliberate and gradual.
“The discharge of water in the night and early morning without prior warning creates avoidable panic and risk,” the letter stated.