MULLAPERIYAR DAM

MULLAPERIYAR DAM

TOPIC: Environment

Context- In January this year, the Central Water Commission told Supreme Court that no review on the safety of Mullaperiyar was done in the past 12 years. However, it also maintained that reports indicate that the dam is safe in all respects, hydrologically, structurally, and seismically.

Concept-

• Though located geographically in Kerala, the 126-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam is owned, operated, and maintained by the Tamil Nadu government and has been a point of dispute between the two neighbouring states for decades.

About Mullaperiyar Dam:

• The Mullaperiyar dam is located on the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers in Kerala’s Idukki district.
• The dam stands at the height of 53.66 metres and 365.85 metres in length.
• It is operated and maintained by the Tamil Nadu for meeting the drinking water and irrigation requirements of five of its southern districts.
  • According to a 999-year lease agreement made during the British rule the operational rights were handed over to Tamil Nadu.
• The dam intends to divert the waters of the west-flowing river Periyar eastward to the arid rain shadow regions of the Tamil Nadu.

Periyar River

• The Periyar River is the longest river in the state of Kerala with a length of 244 km.
• Periyar River originates from Sivagiri hills of Western Ghats and flows through the Periyar National Park.
• It is also known as ‘Lifeline of Kerala’ as it is one of the few perennial rivers in the state.
• The main tributaries of Periyar are:
  • Muthirapuzha,
  • Mullayar,
  • Cheruthoni,
  • Perinjankutti.