Kochi:
Expressing concern over the safety of around 35 lakh people, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to file a written statement on the disaster management steps being taken anticipating the threat to the Mullaperiyar dam.
A Division Bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon issued the order in response to a batch of petitions requesting the court's intervention to save the lives in danger.
The court pulled up the state and asked about the precautionary measures taken. The Advocate General sought two days for submitting the details. To this, the court observed that "the state is asking 48 hours and the danger may knock at the door in 45 minutes. State should have taken the precautionary measures earlier. The dam is situated in the tremor-prone area. Have you identified a safe zone for people reeling under the shadow of fear? The state should prioritise the steps."
"The government has the support of everyone, including civilians. So the court is curious to know the steps taken by the government," the Bench said.
Appearing for the state government, Advocate General K P Dandapani submitted that the state Cabinet had discussed the issue and decided to ask Tamil Nadu to reduce the water level from 136 to 120 feet, since the latter controls and operates the Mullaperiyar dam.
"The state will do all that is possible to ensure the safety of the people. The Idukki reservoir and the Kulamavu and Cheruthoni dams will have to take the flood waters in the event of a failure of the (Mullaperiyar) dam. So, the water level of these reservoirs will be reduced as is necessary," the AG said. "To bring down the water level, power generation would be enhanced and the equipment to sense seismic disturbances would be installed."
The AG further said the state government would convene a special Assembly in the first week of December and pass the resolution to decrease the water level. Dandapani added that some Cabinet ministers would meet Tamil Nadu ministers regarding the issue.
The state has also been asked to inform the ways to create awareness among the masses. It would need to demarcate safe and non-safe areas to avoid panic in a flood situation. The High Court asked to publish pamphlets in Malayalam to generate awareness on immediate steps to be taken following a disaster.