Mullaperiyar dam to get water build-up monitoring system

In an attempt to allay public concerns over the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam, the Kerala government has asked the department of science and technology to implement a real-time monitoring system for water build-up in the reservoir.
The attempt is to present a “factual and emotion-free” picture of the dam’s condition, government officials associated with the project said.
The system will consist of a network of cameras and water pressure sensors to predict levels of water build-up in the dam and provide at least a half-hour leeway for evacuation in case of a threat.
“This is the first time that such a system is being set up in the country to monitor water-build-up in dams,” said Nivedita Haran, additional chief secretary, Kerala. “We are trying to develop a system that can factually estimate the danger levels in the dam. It will be a system to assess danger levels emotionlessly.”
The Mullaperiyar reservoir, over the Periyar river in Kerala, provides water to several parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Both states have been locked in fractious disputes over the dam. Kerala contends the dam is old, has structural problems, and needs to be replaced with a new, stronger reservoir. Tamil Nadu refutes this as a ruse by Kerala to gain legal rights over the dam and potentially deny it its share of water.
While several expert committees—including one appointed by the Supreme Court—have over the years analysed the risks posed by the dam, it continues to evoke strong reactions in both states.

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