Fear of deluge grips Idukki

Kottayam: Panic has gripped the people in  Idukki district after the water level in  the  Mullaperiyar dam  rose to  138 feet on Thursday evening  from  137.8 feet in the morning.

According to Idukki district administration, 1,393 cubic metres  of water is flowing into the  dam in a second. The water level had increased slightly on Thursday from 137.5 feet on Wednesday.

Elaborate preparations were made by the authorities  to handle any  situation. Emergency measures, including the evacuation of the people in the low-lying  areas, will be taken in case of further rise in the  water level.

“There is no need for panic right now. The water will be released if the  level reaches above 140 feet after discussing with Tamil Nadu.  At least 129 families of  Vallakadavu  downstream  the dam will be evacuated in case of need,” district collector S. Ratheeshan told Deccan Chronicle.

Alerts have been given to the officials to take action in case of any  emergency. The increase in  the water level is due to the heavy rain in Tamil Nadu  and increase in water level in the Vaiga dam, which prevented the state from releasing water to that state.  Some  511 cubic feet of water per second is released to  Tamil Nadu on an average.

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