TN opens nine shutters of Mullaperiyar dam

Idukki: Tamil Nadu opened nine shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam on Tuesday morning after heavy rains in the catchment area of the reservoir, the District administration here said.

The district administration said that five out of the nine shutters were raised by 60 centimeters at 10 am and the remaining were opened by 30 centimeters and to discharge around 2,300 cusecs of water.

The water level in the dam at 10 am was 142 feet. The district collector has urged the people residing on the banks of Periyar river to exercise caution. Heavy rain was reported at the Periyar tiger reserve the other day.

Water level in the dam touched 141.9 feet on Monday night. Tamil Nadu had opened the shutters when the water level hit 142 feet on Tuesday. The district administration was informed about opening of dam on Tuesday at 2 am and the shutters were opened at 3 am.

Meanwhile, some people living on the river banks alleged that the dams were opened without prior warning. However, the authorities informed that no emergency situation prevails in the district.

(With inputs from PTI)