Chennai: A recent announcement in Tamil Nadu’s budget speech regarding plans to progressively increase the water level of the Mullaperiyar dam has sparked deep anxiety across Kerala, setting the stage for a major political and legal showdown between the two neighbouring states. Delivering the budget address, the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister made it clear that the state intends to press ahead with measures to elevate the reservoir’s storage limit.
Kerala has long maintained a firm stance that the water level should be strictly capped at 136 feet, citing the advanced age and structural vulnerability of the century-old dam. However, Tamil Nadu’s latest declaration reiterates its persistent position to complete necessary strengthening works, raise the storage limit to 142 feet, and eventually push it up to 152 feet.
This unilateral move has renewed deep-seated fears among residents living along the Periyar riverbanks, who live in constant worry over the safety of the aging structure. While Tamil Nadu bases its claim on previous Supreme Court rulings, Kerala continues to highlight the grave risks posed by sudden, unannounced water releases during heavy monsoons. Such unexpected discharges create severe flood hazards for low-lying regions like Idukki, directly endangering the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of people. Beyond human safety, Kerala has also repeatedly alerted both Tamil Nadu and the Union Government regarding the environmental fallout and the threat to wildlife within the surrounding forest ecosystem. Following Tamil Nadu’s budget declaration, the Kerala government is now gearing up for a strong legal fight and political resistance to protect its citizens.
