Asserting that the floods in the State are not dam-induced as alleged by the Opposition, Water Resources Minister Mathew T. Thomas has produced data to prove that dam managers had resorted to regulated discharge of water.
In a press note issued here on Friday, he said most of the 16 dams under the Irrigation Department were opened in June and July. The cumulative inflow into the 16 dams was 696.785 million cubic metres while the discharge was 700.373 mcm.
The State received 414 mm of rainfall over three days from August 15 to 17, an excess of 164% over the normal. This resulted in an inflow of 16,063.2 million cubic feet.
The Minister said the same areas that went under water in the big floods in 1924 were inundated this year also. “The water level on the Palamattom estate, near Bhoothathankettu, was nine metres below the inundation level marked in 1924. Similarly, at Thalappallymana, Kalady, the level was 1.4 metres below the earlier mark. This is conclusive proof that the floods were not dam- induced,” he said.
Mr. Thomas said the Thottapally spillway and Thanneermukkom bund were opened early to release floodwaters from the Kuttanad region. The sand bar at Thottapally was also opened. However, the high tidal level on the seaward side hindered the discharge of water through the Thanneermukkom bund.
In the case of the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project, Tamil Nadu was releasing water to the Kerala side from July following heavy inflow into the dams. This was done after issuing warnings. Following extremely heavy rainfall at Valpara on the night of August 15, Tamil Nadu had to open the shutters of the Sholayar dam to ensure the safety of the structure and avoid a major disaster, he added.
