Tamil Nadu releases 350 cusecs of water from Mullaperiyar dam

In a move after a two-month hiatus, Tamil Nadu announced on Saturday the release of 350 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water from the historic Mullaperiyar dam for agricultural and drinking purposes. This release comes following a rise in water levels, attributed to an increase in heavy rainfall over the past week, which had raised the dam's storage level to 122.30 feet.

Typically, the release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam is a yearly event, traditionally done on June 1 for irrigation and drinking needs. However, the absence of sufficient monsoon rainfall in the catchment areas during June and July, due to the effects of El Niño, left the water level below 113 feet. This prompted farmers' groups to demand an immediate release of water upon noticing the rise in levels.

In response to these demands, the Tamil Nadu government decided to release 350 cusecs of water starting Saturday, ensuring a continuous supply for the next 120 days. Of the released water, 200 cusecs are designated for agricultural use and 150 cusecs for drinking water. This action was crucial as the previous water shortage had threatened the first farming season for 14,707 hectares of land across five neighboring districts in Tamil Nadu.

The ceremony to mark the water release was attended by prominent figures including Theni MP Thanga Tamil Selvan and Cumbum MLA Jagannath Misra. During the event, Cumbum MLA Jagannath Misra raised concerns about waste from the Kumily local body areas mixing with the Mullaperiyar water, urging immediate measures to curb pollution.

Additionally, a letter from Kumily panchayat president M.M. Varghese to Tamil Nadu authorities highlighted the issue of sewage from the Tamil Nadu bus stand flowing into the Mullaperiyar dam. This prompted calls for immediate action to prevent such contamination. The local body has also initiated plans to set up a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Kumily to address this pressing issue.