Details sought on dam safety action

Joining the chorus of political, cultural and social organisations seeking immediate measures to allay fears of 35 million people likely to be washed away if the 116-year-old Mullaperiyar dam collapses, the High Court (HC) on Wednesday directed the state government to file a written statement within 48 hours on the disaster management steps being taken in case of any eventuality. A Division Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice PR Ramachandra Menon, directed Advocate General (AG) KP Dhandapani to file a written statement in the court. “If the dam breaks what will the people do? It is not fair to seek 48 hours for submitting an answer which could take only 45 minutes,” the court told AG. The court was considering three petitions seeking details of preparedness of state administration in reacting to the catastrophe. In his reply, the advocate general gave details of decision of the state cabinet with regard to the Mullaperiyar dam issue. “The cabinet met on Wednesday and decided to ask Tamil Nadu to reduce the water level of Mullaperiyar dam. Government has also decided to bring down water level of the three other dams, namely, Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu,” he said. The government also decided to convene an assembly session in the first week of December to discuss the matter, he added. The division bench insisted on details of steps to meet any crisis precipitated by the dam break and the safety measures being planned by the government. The court asked AG to file the reply within 48 hours, considering the urgent nature of the issue. One of the petitioners sought a direction to Idukki collector to take immediate steps for draining water from Mullaperiyar dam and three other nearby dams. The petitioner, Advocate Rajamannar, had also sought construction of internal chambers and compartments in the four dams for safety. A petition by lawyer’s union state secretary EK Narayanan sought intervention of the chief minister and prime minister to ally fears of the people. Former MLA and Janata Dal leader K. Krishnankutty wanted Kerala Dam Safety Authority (KDSA) to take charge of the situation. Any failure to exercise its powers and duties with respect to Mullaperiyar dam should be viewed seriously, the petition maintained. It also wanted KDSA to conduct inspection to ensure the dam’s safety and to prevent any damage to it. The issue is the hottest topic in Kerala as water level in Mullaperiyar dam reached critical level of 136 feet last week and earthquakes of magnitude below three were experienced in and around the dam. Kerala wanted a new dam to save the lives of millions in case of dam break. The state is prepared to continue providing water to five districts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu as in the past. Tamil Nadu opposes the move pointing out that it will result in depriving water for irrigation to thousands of hectares of farm land. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday slammed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for the varying stands she has taken on public safety concerns over the leaking Mullaperiyar masonry dam in Kerala and the yet-to-come up Kudankulam nuclear power project in her state.