Water Level in Mullaperiyar Dam

Context

Recently, the Supreme Court has directed the Supervisory Committee to take an immediate and firm decision on the maximum water level that can be maintained at Mullaperiyar dam amidst torrential rains in Kerala.

Key-Points

• Centre of a Decades-old Dispute
• In Kerala, where it is located, the dam poses a threat to millions living downstream.
• In Tamilnadu, which controls the dam, the water it supplies is the lifeline of the people in five districts.

• Reasons for Recent Revival of the Dispute
• Recently, heavy rains have increased the flow of water in the Mullaperiyar dam. Most of the water from Mullaperiyar can flow to the downstream Idukki reservoir, which can lead to floods.
• The SC in 2018 had agreed that the water level in the Mullaperiyar reservoir should be maintained at two or three feet below the permissible limit of 142 feet as a precautionary measure to monitor floods or other disasters.

Mullaperiyar Dam

• It is located at the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers in the Idukki district in Kerala.
• The reservoir is within the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
• It is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu to meet the needs of drinking water and irrigation needs of its five southern districts.
• According to a 999-year lease agreement made during British rule, operational rights were granted to Tamil Nadu.
• The water diverted from the reservoir  was first used to generate electricity in the lower Periyar (by Tamil Nadu) before flowing into Suruliyar, a tributary of the Vaigai River, and irrigating about 2.08 hectares of lakh in Theni and four other districts farther away.