Kerala Floods: State Government Blames Tamil Nadu For Devastation; Alleges Sudden Release Of Water From Mullaperiyar Dam

Thiruvananthapuram, August 23: In the latest development, Kerala government has blamed Tamil Nadu for floods in the state. The state government alleged that its neighbouring state refused to lower the water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam. Kerala today filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in which its government claimed that the sudden release of water from the Mullaperiyar Dam was the main cause for the massive floods which around 400 people died.

According to a report published by CNN News18, the government also said that Tamil Nadu government repeatedly rejected its request to reduce the water level in the dam from 142 feet to 139 feet. The sluice gates of the dam were opened on August 15 after water level touch 142 feet mark following heavy rains Idukki. Though the dam is located in Kerala but is operated by Tamil Nadu.

According to an Affidavit accessed by CNN News18, the Kerala government was controlling the situation by letting a major portion of flood waters escape into the sea. The affidavit stated that strict operational control was maintained over the spill of the two largest reservoir systems in Idukki and Idamalayar.

The affidavit also added that the sudden release from Mullaperiyar Dam forced the Kerala government to release more water from Idukki reservoir. The Tamil Nadu government will present its defence in the Supreme Court on Friday. However, the opposition parties blamed the Vijayan government for not handling opening of dams properly. The parties also termed it a man-made disaster. Congress leader Ramesh Chenithala said that the government opened gates of all the dams without giving proper information to people.

Yesterday, Vijayan claimed that doors of the dams were opened only after the water level had risen to the danger mark and warnings were given regarding this. Vijayan said, “On July 30 water levels were below orange alert and till Aug 7 water was receding, on Aug 8 heavy rain started, and water levels began to increase. On August 15 Mullaperiyar Dam was opened. Nobody could've foreseen this, but still, warnings were given, and evacuations were done.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2018 07:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).