Gave regular warnings to Kerala, Tamil Nadu tells SC

Gave regular warnings to Kerala, Tamil Nadu tells SC

News:

1. In a counter affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, Tamil Nadu warned Kerala for the water level rose in the Mullaperiyar dam.

Important facts:

2. Different arguments given by two states are mentioned below:

Kerala’s arguments:

• Recently, Kerala had alleged in its affidavit that it was uncertain about the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam
• It said there were no “positive assurances” from Tamil Nadu to its request for gradual release of water at least at 139 feet during the torrential rains.
• Kerala wants to “help” the encroachers, who have illegally occupied the water spread area between 142 ft. and 155 ft. leased to Tamil Nadu

In a counter affidavit Tamil Nadu’s submitted the following arguments:

• On this, Tamil Nadu submitted that it had “duly informed Kerala since the water level in the Dam reached +136 ft.
• State took all the required measures before water was released from the dam.
• Periodical warnings were issued since the water level reached 136 ft for every two feet rise and from 140 onward for every one foot rise.
• Intimation was given to the Kerala government in advance regarding the release of water from the spillway of the dam.
• Action was taken from Tamil Nadu only after the water level in the dam crossed the permitted storage of +142 ft., is denied.
• The state said the designed Maximum Water Level of Mullaperiyar dam is 155ft. for which the safety was examined and found to be safe by the apex court.

3. The affidavit was countering a petition filed by Idukki resident highlighting the ‘perils’ faced by the people living downstream of the Mullaperiyar dam on the Periyar basin.

4. The petition said that there was a lack of coordination between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, no disaster management plan and people were living in constant fear of flash floods.