Follow this sitePreface: This post is purely taken out from another blog which is written in Malayalam – Nammude boolokam. I believe Nammude boolokam will not complain against me to take the subject and properties used in the post. I do this as part of the e-campaign for saving Kerala, by saving Mullapperiyar Dam.
Dear readers, I am joining nammude boolokam website in the e-campaign led by them for saving Mullapperiyar dam. I hope all like-minded people will join us. Pictures used in this post are taken by Mr. Faizal Muhammed who is a photo journalist for a leading print media in Kerala. Faizal published all the mullapperiyar related photos in his blog two years before. One can see the pathetic condition of the dam in the photos below. The funniest thing is, almost all media have the same kind of photos and visuals. But no one is publishing it in their media. Just because of vested interests and their not-so-serious mentality towards a catastrophic disaster which will occur in Kerala in near future. Let us do something, at least the smallest thing that we can do in regard of Mullapperiyar.
I, along with Nammude boolokam request readers to spread the word across; if possible, translate this article to Tamil or a better English article. So that an awareness is created.
Many people still believe that the so called dangerous situation in Mullapperiyar dam is just a hype created by Kerala government and Keralites. I hope this article will atleast show some shocking scenes from the ground zero. Mullaperiyar dam is one of the oldest of its kind in South India. It was built before 110 years using some jurassic technologies, which the builder himself tells the ‘estimated’ life of dam is 50 years. The dam breach is 60 years over due now!
This dam has a height of 54 meters (177 feet) and a basement of 44.2 meters (145 feet). It is built with a mixture of Lime stone and mortar. When it was built, there was no reinforced concrete or similar techniques. The engineer who built this dam calculated that this dam will stand for 50 years. After building the dam there was an agreement between princely state of Travancore and then Madras presidency. It was purely an unfair dealing. The agreement says of leasing out the land area of reservoir for 999 years.
Kerala was giving water to Tamilnadu. It is, and it will. No problem. Problem comes in the other way. The dam is not safe to carry water more than 136 feet of water. Tamilnadu wants it to be raised to 142 feet. Whereas in late 1970s itself central water committee suggested not to raise water level beyond 136 feet as the dam is not in fit condition. Fact is that even in 136 feet water level, Tamilnadu will be able to get water. Another interesting fact is that Tamilnadu pays Andhrapradesh Rs. 3 crores per TMC of water, and Rs. 40,000 for 70 TMC of water! Shall we call it incompetency for Government of Kerala? We should!
See the image below where you can see the week wall of the dam. You should see the cross section of the dam in the image above also to understand the impact of a breach!
Mullaperiyar Dam as it is seen with water level at 115 feet.
Image below,you can see the cracks very clearly. Generally the security system there will not allow anyone to photograph this. Once, Indian navy was called for to photograph the cracks in the dam. But after boarding the boat, Navy got a call from ‘Higher’ authorities to come back! Understand, this “STRONG” wall is protecting the lives of 35 lakhs+ people who live downstream and 5 districts which are in the vicinity of this dam.
Cracks to take lives
Water seeping into the wall through the cracks
Plaster on the wall of the dam eroded due to constant contact of water.
See the reservoir of Mullaperiyar! Good. Right? What Tamilnadu say is even if the Mullaperiyar dam is breached, Idukki dam will be able to stop water at it. Hey TN, what are your trying to say? Just forget about the thousands of people who are living between Mullaperiyar and Idukki dams? (Then, why can’t we forget people in Tamilnadu?!)
This is the gate of the “Srikovil”! Key is with Tamilnadu. What a pity. Our neighbor has the key to our home! And for sure, it will not be opened to a Keralite.
Here comes the super scenes. The below is inside the tunnel. Reservoir is on the right wall of this tunnel. You can see water oozing from the wall. Mind it. It is not any intended hole or crack. But it is one which developed in time course.
Breach of this dam will be so disastrous that, the high court building in Eranakulam will be under water! So, think.
Dear Tamilnadu, Please don’t try to say that all these photos are taken inside my home!
I wish I get more details and photographs in this regard. Please pass the word…
Save Mullaperiyar Dam, Save Kerala
Credits for the pictures goes to Mr. Faisal Muhammed. Thank you Faisal. You did a wonderful work.
niraksharan
/ December 2, 2009good article santhosh. let’s hope that we will get justice. and let’s join hands for that.
NAMMUDE BOOLOKAM
/ December 2, 2009We are giving you full support to spread our “Solve Mullaperiyar Dam Issue , Save Kerala ” movement . Thanks again.
kichu
/ December 2, 2009santhosh
good move.
chinthakan
/ December 2, 2009Good effort. All supports.
Authorities… please open your eyes to save the lives; by solving this issue in an agreeable manner for both parties.
kannanunni
/ December 2, 2009One single step means something, when it triggers a mass movement.
Hope your article will help to open many more eyes.
Good work…
Santhoshj
/ December 2, 2009Thanks pals… It is not just a matter of Mullaperiyar Dam, Kerala or Tamil nadu. I/We talk for safety of life. Hoping for the best possible amicable solution… All we can do is to write articles. It is our leaders who need to act.
shine
/ December 3, 2009Hope, the responsible authorities will open their eyes and hearts before being too late… prayers…
Osai Chella
/ December 9, 2009Hi from Osai Chella, a popular Tamil Blog Activist. It is all pack of lies! Can you tell me the following facts?
1. What is the altitude of Mullaiperiyar dam?
2. What are the altitudes of the five districts that will be washed away if the dam collapses..( as per your idea) ?
With warm regards,
Osai Chella
Santhoshj
/ December 9, 2009Dear Chella,
Happy that you are here.
Mullaperiyar is 4 386.48 feet above sea level. Anyway the districts which are on the east of the dam are below that level.
You can’t just tell it as just “a pack of lies”. Just for a sake of thinking, let Kerala build a new dam, facing it’s opening to TamilNadu! How will be the reaction of Tamil Nadu.
Chella, Please don’t see it as the problem of two states. Rather it is about an out dated “Historical” structure which can collapse any time over millions of people. Fact is, Mullaperiyar is the oldest Masonry Dam still in use, in the whole Asia.
What TN need is water. What Kerala is ready to give is water. What TN is not giving is the right to live without fear.
Minnal
/ December 9, 2009Good Work Santhosh !!!!!!
Hope this will create an awareness among all regarding this issue.
V.K.Renganathan
/ January 15, 2010Dear Mr. Santosh,
Your efforts to throw more light on the Mullaiperiar dam is commendable. I am from Tamil Nadu and from Madurai Dist which is benifitted by this dam. Please note , the airid and rain shadow regions of Teni and Ramand Districts are irrigated by this dam and this is for this particular pirpose this dam was built. Probably you may be aware of the History behind this dam. Today thousands of Farmers from Tamilnadu are dependent on this.
Now the problem ( or the dispute) is not about the Dam but about the Water the Dam provides to TN. We all have become so inward looking that we are unable to think of sharing our resources with fellow citizens of India. The political parties are adding fuel to this and trying to gain electoral mileage. Probably this mistrust is what preventing TN from thinking ahead , evethough it knows very well the Dam cannot stand 999 years.
The solution is to make a new contract- probably for a good number of years- providing guantee to TN on the supply of water through a new Dam. This initiative has to come from Kerala led by an all party team.
This has to happen and people like us should create awareness. Also we should not incite the people of Kerala by comparing Krishna water and this. Also we should not term the current water sharing agreement as Unfair. If we do ,it will only strenghten the views of the section of the political parties in TN, which feels, the real intention of the Kerala Govt is to divert the entire water to Kerala and is using the condition of the Dam as a cover.
Osai Chella
/ February 9, 2010Hi Santhosh !
What i asked you is something very basic! Your cm said if the Dam collapses then 4 or 5 district will washed away! The places he mentioned were above the MSL of Mullai Periyar! Can you explain me his anti tamilnadu… opps sorry … antigravity stand ! lol! When you got the basics wrong ppl will suspect. We tamils are not against malayali brotherns. We used to talk very high about your unity! So let us initiate a dialogue! But i like the activism you brought in to the cyberspace. Kudo’s for that!
valara snehaththudan…
Osai CHella fm Coimbatore
Santhoshj
/ February 11, 2010Such a cruel remark!
So, you want to experiment with the dam failure. right? I guess, you have not seen any of the dams in Kerala! it is not a dam like Vaigai Dam or Manimuthar Dam. It is water boss!! Water. I can give life.. and take it also.
There is no matter of gravity.
Fine. What is there for TamilNadu to interfere with a home issue of Kerala. Very well this can be considered as a home issue. And Tamilnadu’s terms and conditions sounds like, she is doing some mercy act on Kerala. No need. My personal opinion is, Kerala should go ahead and void the idiotic agreement which was made by British. It has been 60 years now british has gone away from India. What is there agreement doing here? Do not the judiciary have a 100grams of brain?
A new dam needs to be built. And it should be in 100% control of Kerala. Water will be supplied to TamilNadu on revised tarrifs.
“THERE IS NOTHING CALLED A FREE LUNCH”
Rajshri
/ February 10, 2010Hi Osai,
So you want the dam to break and find out what will happen.. whether it will indeed wash out 4 or 5 districts.. what’s the point you are trying to prove…just tell us something.. when the tsunami struck, did it really wait to find out gravity or antigravity… pl look at things based on the merits…let us be indians first and work toward collective interests…
bharat
/ February 16, 2010Santosh,
Don’t be too emotional about it.
Please read http://indianrealist.wordpress.com/2010/01/16/mullaperiyar-dam-controversy-and-sabarimala/
to get an alternate perspective on this issue.