Mullaperiyar dam burst paranoia intensifies with Wayanad landslides

The recent landslides in Wayanad have sparked a surge in social media and WhatsApp messages speculating about a potential burst of the Mullaperiyar Dam and reigniting the fears among netizens. This trend echoes the panic developed following the 2018 Kerala floods and the recent landslides, which claimed over 400 lives. 

Online petitions calling for immediate action and video interviews discussing the potential aftermath of a Mullaperiyar dam breach are circulating widely. Many are sharing these petitions as their Facebook and WhatsApp statuses and stories.

In response to the growing concern, the Idukki administration issued a clarification on Saturday regarding the safety of this 129-year-old dam. District Collector V Vigneswari reported that the water level in the dam remained stable. According to the rule curve, the dam's shutters are to be raised when the water level reaches 137 feet. On Saturday, however, the level was 131.75 feet, indicating that there was no immediate need to raise the shutters. She also confirmed that all necessary preparations had been made in case of the necessity of opening them.

This surge of social media anxiety coincides with a Supreme Court order addressing the dispute between Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the Mullaperiyar Dam. 

Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to reassess the validity of the 1886 lease agreement between the princely state of Travancore and the British government for the construction of the dam. The court will review the case in light of the issues raised by Kerala in the 2014 suit. The Supreme Court's order on July 27 directed both Tamil Nadu and Kerala to submit relevant documents within eight weeks, with the case scheduled for consideration on September 30.