In Kerala, another tremor of 2.6 on richter scale was felt yesterday evening in Idukki district where 116 year old Mullaperiyar dam is situated. In an emergency meeting between Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan it has been decided to seek Prime Minister's assistance once again by sending an all party delegation to Delhi within three days to sort out the dam safety issue. AIR Correspondent reports that Since July this year twenty nine tremors of varying intensities have occurred in Idukki and adjoining places causing further concern about the safety of Mullaperiyar dam. The water level of the dam has slightly decreased to 135.2 feet. Despite the earnest efforts of the Centre to sort out the Mullaperiyar dam issue amicably between Kerala and Tamil Nadu the situation appears to be more grim. Congress party is organising mass solidarity programmes in all assembly constituencies tomorrow on dam safety. Satyagraha and agitations by MLAs and MPs are continuing .Even as prohibitory orders have been extended in border areas in Idukki vehicular traffic between the two states in Kumily stands restricted by police as part of precaution. The situation is tense yet peaceful. Kerala assembly has passed a resolution the other day demanding reduction of water level to 120 feet and construction of a new dam decommissioning the existing one.
News On AIR | December 11, 2011 9:52 AM
Mild quake jolts Idukki where Mullaperiyar dam is situated in Kerala