Mullaperiyar dam
General Studies Paper I: Indian Geography: Physical geography, river systems, inter-state water disputes, disaster geography
Context: Intensified northeast monsoon caused heavy rain in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, prompting major flooding.
- Overflow from the Mullaperiyar dam led to the release of surplus water, impacting downstream districts.
What Happened?
- Torrential overnight rain flooded roads and homes, caused landslides, and triggered traffic disruptions in Idukki and Theni.
- Water released from the Mullaperiyar dam, with the water level at 139.15 ft, outflow exceeding inflow temporarily.
- Several villages along the Periyar river flooded, one fatality reported in Idukki, another in Tirunelveli (TN).
Mullaperiyar Dam Issue
(Geographical & Political Significance)
- Geographically located in Idukki (Kerala), but owned and operated by Tamil Nadu due to historical agreements.
- The dam is vital for irrigation and drinking water in Tamil Nadu but a source of concern for Kerala due to safety and flooding anxiety during intense rains.
- Political significance lies in recurring disputes over dam safety, water management, and inter-state coordination during monsoon.
| Aspect | Details |
| Location | Located in Idukki district (Kerala), operated by Tamil Nadu |
| Dam Water Level | 139.15 ft as of Sunday evening |
| Reservoir Inflow | 9,521 cusecs |
| Reservoir Outflow | 8,551 cusecs |
| Villages Affected | Ayappancoil, Vikas Nagar, Karuppupalam, Manjumala, Atooram, Kadashikkadavu, Vandiperiyar |
| Major Roads Hit | Gudalloor-Kozhikode, Kumily inter-State ghat road |
| Deaths | 1 in Idukki (Kerala), 1 in Tirunelveli (TN) |
| Tourist Impact | Suruli waterfalls, Theni, closed for tourists |
Immediate Impacts
Idukki (Kerala)
- Multiple villages inundated, triggering evacuations.
- Fatality reported; widespread damage to infrastructure and property.
- Major roads rendered impassable; traffic, communication, and electricity disrupted.
- Fisherfolk warned against venturing into the sea.
Theni (Tamil Nadu)
- Landslides affecting Kumily ghat road traffic.
- Suruli waterfalls declared off-limits for tourists by Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
- Flash floods reported, with fatalities and ongoing search efforts.
Other Districts
- Significant river swelling in Karakodam, Kalakkad, and Athithode (Kerala).
- Inconveniences in Kochi due to sudden flooding.
- Floods also impacted Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu), with search operations for missing persons.
Broader Meteorological Context
- Northeast monsoon intensified, causing isolated but severe rain episodes.
- Substantially higher rainfall than usual for this period, similar to major floods in recent years but less widespread.
Government Action
Kerala Government
- Issued flood warnings, urged caution for those downstream of the dam.
- Kerala Revenue Minister urged restricted movement and advised avoidance of hilly routes.
- Issued advisories to fishermen; mobilized resources for relief and monitoring.
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
- Closed Suruli waterfalls for public safety.
- Participated in search and rescue operations; issued warnings in affected areas.
This event underscores the recurring vulnerabilities faced by regions around the Mullaperiyar dam during the monsoon, emphasizing the importance of timely interstate coordination and robust disaster preparedness
