Mullaperiyar dam near to full, landslides at Naliyani, Villanchira

The maximum capacity of the 118 year old dam is 136 ft

Water level in the Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala rose to 135 ft Wednesday evening, just short of its maximum capacity of 136 ft. Although rain has moderated in the catchment area, the water level has increased in the last couple of days.

According to the department of water resources, 4,560 cubic feet of water is flowing into the dam every second. “Tamil Nadu has been lifting more water in order to regulate the water level,” said officials.

Water resources minister PJ Joseph said the inflow into the dam was almost double to that of the diversion to Vaiga dam in Tamil Nadu.  

Meanwhile, fresh landslides were reported at two locations at Naliyani, near Thodupuzha town, and at Villanchira, near Neryamangalam. There was no casualty. According to revenue officials, 130 families had been evacuated from Naliyani and lodged at a tribal school in Velliyamattam. Traffic through the Kochi- Dhanushkodi national highway was stalled partially due to the landslide at Villanchira.