Sunday, November 7, 2010

Arguments by Tamil Nadu and Counter Arguments




1. ARGUMENT: 37 dams exits in India, which are more than 100 years old and still in service and hence it is not prudent to conclude that Mullaperiyar is unsafe based only citing the age of the structure.

COUNTER ARGUMENT: It is true that there are more than 37 dams exists in India which are more than 100 years old (Source: National Register of Large Dams, 2002). But a close look into the above data shows that out of the above 37 dams, 30 dams are of earthen dams having around 20 m height and more over having only an average gross storage capacity of less than 1 TMC! Hence these earthen dams are only can be qualified to be as ‘earthen bunds’ and does not pose much threat. 

If we consider the remaining seven masonry gravity dams, the Mullaperiyar dam surpasses all others with its height of 53.64m and its huge storage capacity of 15.66 TMC. The second one on the above list, Khadakwasla dam, which had already overtopped in 1961 due to the failure of the Panchet dam in the upstream (Maharastra - Pune District).  The third one on the list is having a height of only 16.77m. Hence such comparisons have no meaning.

Mullaperiyar dam is a composite gravity dam which lost of much of its strength due to continuous leaching of lime from its core. This dam is situated in an active fault zone, which makes the dam vulnerable to failure in an earthquake of moderate intensity with an epicenter close to the dam. Also the high hazard this dam poses a direct threat to the lives and property of 35 lakhs people living downstream and also a threat to the mega storage Idukki reservoir. Hence Mullaperiyar dam has no parallels and considering its age, deterioration and high hazard nature, must be decommissioned and a new dam must be built.



2. ARGUMENT: No masonry gravity dam has failed so far and hence the fear of Kerala about Mullaperiyar dam is not based on facts.

COUNTER ARGUMENT: This is not true and against the facts. World over Masonry gravity dams have failed and a few examples are shown below.

Name
Country
Year of Failure
Height in m
Austin
USA
1900
20.7 m
Tigra
India
1917
26 m
Khadakwasla
India
1961
40 m
Kantalai
Sri Lanka
1986
27 m

A doctoral thesis paper from University of New South Wales, Australia ‘An analysis of Concrete and Masonry Dam Failures’ based on a database called ‘CONGDATA’ is put the figure of the total masonry dam failure reported world over as 21. (This research was funded by the dams community in Australia as part of Dam Risk Project, together with ARC and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of New South Wales)

  • It reveals that the peaks in failures of masonry gravity dams are noted in dams commissioned in the 1870’s to 1890’s and 1910’s to 1920’s.
  • It also reveals that dams within the height range of 15 m to 50 m range are failed more than others.

The above findings are relevant as far as the century old Mullaperiyar Dam concerned because it matches both criteria and the probability of failure of this dam is more compared with others.

3. ARGUMENT: Idukki is having a gross storage capacity of 70.5 TMC at FRL and it is not filled up to its full capacity. Hence Idukki can very well contain, even if worst happens to Mullaperiyar Reservoir!

COUNTER ARGUMENT: It is regretted to note that Tamil Nadu ignore the fact that once the Mullaperiyar fails, the water will traverse through river for a length of 36 kms before reaching to Idukki reservoir. There lives around 75,000 people on the banks of River Periyar in towns like Vallakadavu, Vandiperiyar, Upputhara, etc. Any dam break of Mullaperiyar will completely wash away the entire population between Mullaperiyar and Idukki and hence the Government of Kerala is not prepared for taking any risk in this regard. If we consider this fact, Mullaperiyar dam qualifies to classify as a High Hazard dam as per CWC norms, which means failure will cause loss of life of more than a few people and excessive economic loss (CWC Guidelines for Inspection of Dams, 1987).

More than 6 years during last 30 years (means a probability of occurrence of around once in 5 years!) the Mullaperiyar and Idukki storages together crossed the gross storage of Idukki reservoir. Hence it is evident that if Mullaperiyar dam failed at that time, Idukki dams would have been got overtopped due to the combined storage crossing 70.5 TMC, which Idukki reservoir cannot accommodate in now way. Hence the argument that if worst happens, Mulllaperiyar flows will be contained by Idukki have no relevance. It is important to look at the probability of becoming both these reservoirs filling, it is once in five years, such a high probability! I am shivered to imagine about such a catastrophe of overtopping of dams of Idukki reservoir, which is having a gross storage capacity of 70.5 TMC and having a downstream population of around 35 lakhs people! Is India, which poses itself as super power can accommodate such a catastrophe? It is high time for Government of India to open their eyes and look into the facts which are already available with them, yes, both Idukki and Mullaperiyar reservoir statistics are available with them.

YEAR
DATE
GROSS STORAGE IN TMC
IDUKKI
MULLAPERIYAR
IDUKKI + MULLAPERIYAR
1981
13-Nov
70.59
11.22
81.81
1992
18-Nov
70.20
7.78
77.98
1994
11-Nov
66.58
11.99
78.57
1998
15-Nov
67.35
10.79
78.14
2005
17-Sep
68.56
11.21
79.77
2007
28- Sep
69.45
10.23
79.68
Note:- The gross storage at FRL of Idukki is 70.5 TMC and at MWL is 74.4 TMC

4. Argument: Due to the non-restoration of water level from 136ft to 142ft, Mullaperiyar spills and water is wasted.

COUNTER ARGUMENT: Even though the FRL of the reservoir is kept at 136 feet, Tamil Nadu never denied by Government of Kerala to draw the entire quantity of water from this reservoir. If we consider the period of 1911-1979 (FRL-152ft), we can see that the Mullaperiyar reservoir spilled at a rate of 18.14 days per year to the downstream. But it can be seen that between 1980-2005 (FRL-136ft), the reservoir is spilled only at a rate of 8.62 days per year! It is to be noted that the reservoir spilled 40 years out of 69 years (1911-1979). But it only spilled in 11 years out of the last 27 years and the rest of the years entire water from this reservoir was drawn by TN. This is because of the high rate of emptying Periyar reservoir (due to the increased tunnel capacity from 1300 cusecs to 2100 cusecs done in late 1959) by transferring waters to TN territory and storing the entire waters (due to development of subsequent reservoirs and 1373 tanks in their territory so that the dependable inflow from Periyar can be easily accommodated). Hence it can be concluded that the lowering of water level has not affected TN’s historical water rights (1911-1979) from Mullaperiyar.

5. ARGUMENT: Due to the non-restoration of FRL from 136 ft to 142 ft, and TN’s irrigation benefits are suffering

COUNTER ARGUMENT: It is important to note that the Mullaperiyar spilled only on occasions wherein TN is unable to draw water from Mullaperiyar either due to avoid spilling in their area during the flood years wherein the North-East Monsoon is so active and flooding their area (Eg: Year 2006) or due to some failure of their conveyance mechanism (Eg: Year 2005). It is another fact that if we consider the spilled years, TN irrigated more area during those years than the other normal years and dry years wherein they have taken the entire water.

We can see that less than 5% of the inflow is only spilled from Mullaperiyar, that too during high flood years. It is important to note that during majority of those years TN’s Vaigai Reservoir also spilled and water was wasted to the sea (1984, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005 & 2006). During the flood years, it is natural that all medium reservoirs will invariably spill and not even a water scarce State like Tamil Nadu can avoid such phenomenon.

It is important to note that TN has added around 22647 ha (55962 acres) ayacut to the Periyar Vaigai Irrigation Project after 1980, ie, lowering of the FRL with World Bank aid and the ayacut is still expanding. If the water diversion is reduced, what is the meaning of this additional ayacuts?

Another aspect is that such huge additions of ayacut, will create problems during lean years even though there will be water available during flood years. It is not advisable to extent ayacut to enormous proportions while the 75% dependable flow from Periyar catchment is around 20 TMC (hardly sufficient for 1,60,000 acres ayacut, which is 10,000 acres more than what British Engineers envisaged) and during lean years the flow dwindles to 15 TMC to 12 TMC. That means lean years the flow wont be sufficient to irrigate even 50% of the ayacut and it naturally result in a blame game. Hence it can be concluded that not because of the lowering of the FRL, but because of the unscientific ayacut development to exploit the water only available during flood years is the real problem of TN and it is not fair to blame Kerala for that. It is a fact that more ayacut developed than the dependable flow only creates more unhappy ryots in lean years and sometimes normal years! The World Bank Report on India’s Water Economy’ narrates this apathy in Periyar-Vaigai basin as an example for the future Indian irrigation planners.

6. ARGUMENT: Spilling of Mullaperiyar to Kerala means wastage of water to the sea!

COUNTER ARGUMENT: This is also a wrong argument without understanding the reality. The spill water from Mullaperiyar is being collected at Idukki reservoir and owing to its huge capacity, Idukki can regulate these waters in a better manner and the waters are sufficient water can be discharged during lean summer months to meet the irrigation demands in Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project. Moreover, these waters can cater the drinking water requirements, saline intrusion problems especially in summer months. It is important to note that during 1886 to 2006, the population of Kerala has increased by six times and the water demand also swelled to around 20 to 25 times. Hence it is a wrong perception that the waters are being wasted into the sea. Also, it is proved that flooding is always helps to recharge the ground water availability to a great extent. It is important to note that while Vaigai is rich in ground water availability, Periyar is not like that and the basin has to depend on its surface waters, which are now being limited to 80 to 90 days of rainy days. Hence the spill water received to the largest storage reservoir is useful to the huge population for various needs. It is important to note that inbasin needs are may get more priority than trans basin needs.

7. ARGUMENT: Even though the water level in Mullaperiyar reached close to 140 feet during spill years nothing happened to the dam. Similarly the recent earthquakes have no effect on the safety of the dam. Hence Kerala’s concerns about the safety of dam are not genuine.

COUNTER ARGUMENT: It is true that the dam sustained the increased water levels around 140 feet. Similarly the dam sustained the earthquakes recorded. But it is important to note that no earthquake of moderate intensity has so far happened close to the active fault below the Mullaperiyar dam. The worst scenario, we are trying to avoid is an deteriorated dam with 142 feet of water and an earthquake of intensity 6 to 6.5 in the fault zone below the dam same time. The good luck that not the dam has yet been seriously tested in a severe earthquake with the above water load and hence the dam is still there. Disaster prevention is more seriously taken by the societies world over in the recent years. Government of India after the Tsunami, Bhuj and Latur earthquakes and Mumbai floods also geared up to meet the challengee of disasters and recognized that the prevention is better than cure. Hence I can quote Koffi Annan, “Building culture of prevention is not easy. While the cost of prevention had to be paid in the present, its benefits lie in the distant future. More over, the benefits are not tangible; they are disasters that did not happen.”

Hence it is prudent that we must show the character of statesman and show the positive attitude to build a new dam instead of waiting for a disaster! This old dam, has the potential to kill thousands, even millions, of people, is no more unbreakable than the Titanic was unsinkable.

8. ARGUMENT: Mullaperiyar reservoir is safe even for PMF floods and the fear of overtopping of dam is baseless.

COUNTER ARGUMENT: This is another area CWC has failed miserably to deliver. It is important to note that Tamil Nadu Government in consultation with CWC reviewed the PMF (Probable Maximum Flood) value for this Project and arrived at a value of 6003 cumecs. Even with this value of PMF, the flood routing studies shown that the reservoir will touch a MWL of 157.70 feet, with the mandatory one vent inoperative condition. It is important to note that the century old dam is designed for a MWL of 155 feet only. Hence the immediate logical remedy considering this high hazard dam is to reduce
the FRL forthwith such that the MWL will not exceed 155 feet. But to the surprise CWC recommended increasing the parapet height to accommodate more waters than the designed MWL.

This PMF itself warrants a close examination. It is part of the records that Mullaperiyar reservoir has experienced an extreme flood during 1943 with a peak inflow 8453 cumecs. But while calculating the PMF of Mullaperiyar, the peak inflow of 6003 cumecs was only considered, a very low value than the original observed peak flood. As per CWC guidelines even small reservoirs shall be designed for 1 in 100 year flood and large reservoirs shall be designed for PMF. But here CWC has adopted a low value than the observed peak inflow! Some comparisons are shown below to expose the double game played by CWC while endorsing TN’s PMF estimate. Except the case of Mullaperiyar, all other places the PMF values were calculated by CWC in a realistic manner and it is very high than the observed flood.

Project
Observed Maximum Peak Inflow
PMF Value adopted as per CWC recommendation
Dantiwada dam, Gujarat
12770 cumecs
18122 cumecs
Machu – I dam, Gujarat
7277 cumecs
13224 cumecs
Machu-II dam, Gujarat
13421 cumecs
26420 cumecs
Mullaperiyar
8453 cumecs
6003 cumecs
(Ref: Workshops on Strengthening of Dams, CBIP, 1989)

To expose these further, the following comparison between Machu-I and Mullaperiyar reveals the double game played by CWC. The striking similarity between these two almost similar area of catchments and the PMF review of both dams shown below shall be noted.

Description
Machu –I
 Mullaperiyar
Height of Dam
28.00 m
53.64 m
Catchment Area
730 sq.km.
624 sq.km.
Avg. Annual Rainfall
508 mm
1800mm
Observed Peak Inflow
7277 cumecs
8453 cumecs
PMF Value Adopted
13224 cumecs
6003 cumecs

Nobody can find fault with the some one who doubt that the above so called ‘PMF’ is nothing but a result of the reverse calculation to adjust the FRL of 152ft! It is important to note that this so called ‘PMF’ had created an insufficient spillway capacity and the possibility of the dam may overturn by an extreme flood situation cannot be brushed aside. In this context, it may please be noted that 40% of the dam failures occurred in the world is due to overtopping consequent to insufficient spillway capacity.

This warrants an urgent re-estimation of the PMF of Mullaperiyar and also revised flood routing starts from various reservoir levels such that in any case MWL shall not increase more than 142 feet. While doing this, the following conditions must also taken into account, the possibility of unavailability of tunnel withdrawal by TN as happened during this year (an unsual event in FRL conditions) and also the revised area capacity of the reservoir to accommodate the siltation in the live storage area.

In this context, it may be noted that in United Kingdom, the PMF is 1 in 10,000 year flood and in United States of America it is between 1 in 1000 to 1 in 3000 year flood. It is important to note that over a 50 year period of our life, there is a 1.5% chance of death in fatal car accident or the occurrence of a 3000 year flood. Hence the compromising done by CWC overlooking even the flood occurred just 60 years is not at all justifiable and admissible by Kerala.

145 comments:

Unknown said...

In fact, i went unnoticed about this section of the blog which i think is the most important and reveals almost all of the technical contradictions. TN should be tethered by the counter to the argumets.. I think the same arguments and the counter arguments should be immediately scanned by the Central Govt/Hon: Supreme Court.. the realities have been clearly explained with facts and references. But or mallicious systems refrain from doing so.. But the fact is, the Authorities/People responsible should consider these points and preferrably find an immediate solution than going to Committees moving like snails..Anyways once agian WELL EXPLAINED.. Good Job.. especailly for the pains u have taken to prepare with the references and statistical data..

James Wilson said...

thank you Priyesh for your kind comments

Unknown said...

Congrats James Wilson. Your Blog is added to our listing....www.nammudeboolokam.com.

Please go through Bloggers movement to rebuild mullapperiyar dam
http://rebuilddam.blogspot.com/

JOE

Happiness said...

Can you publish these facts in newspaper media or magazines (periodicals) like the publications of CWC, CBIP etc. and circulate in kerala and TN?, so that the message to reach the mass.

Good effort.. congrats.!

santhosh

James Wilson said...

@Joe - thnx for ur comments nd also for the listing...nd i will definitely look into the blogs mentioned by u

@Santhosh - thank u so much for ur comments..we brought all these matters to attention of the supreme court nd now plan to bring it before the empowered committee too..

Rajeev said...

Thank you james for the excellent report. As rightly pointed out, the article need be published in other media too.

Thanking you again ..

Rajeev

James Wilson said...

@Santhosh nd Rajeev - Ur suggestion to publish this in some Engineering forum will be seriously considered. Now it is for the media to publish these details..:)

Unnikrishnan said...

Really good work yaar. Very informative.

Anonymous said...

hi
can you tell us what is kerala govt. proposal for this issue. what will happen to current dam after that and what will be the new dam and its agreement with tamil nadu! thanks in advance

- neighbor

Process Water Treatment said...

why make many argumetns? please save the dam

Anonymous said...

we ll said James.... why do not people understand these facts..... ? what are ur porjects next steps ?

Anonymous said...

Any updates on this? I suggest you write a piece in mathrubhoomi in malayalam but in summary. People will kill each other both in TN and Kerala if this bursts. the TN state as usual is arrogant and pretends ignorance.

krish | കൃഷ് said...

Nice efforts. The people of TN needs to understand the reality.

Anonymous said...

facebook got this now ... now it's only a matter of days ... before this blog goes viral, if not already ... very well written!!!

vinayak said...

Thanks a lot James, much appreciate the time and pains taken to compile this one with all the data. If everything that is said here is true, why isn't the Supreme court able to give out a judgement than asking the governments to reach an amicable solution?
Or is it that they have a master plan after the catastrophe occurs?
Sad state of being- this helplessness.
["Who's watching the watchers anyways?"]

കുറ്റ്യാടിക്കാരന്‍|Suhair said...

Thanks for sharing this most valued information.

Anonymous said...

Pls stop blaming others and using abusive words which will shade the hard work done by James sir.. If U really want Kerala to be saved, pls stop fighting and start protesting..

pavi675 said...

This is a great article and everyone need to see it. I just wanna say something to Mr.James Wilson and to the people who have commented in a ignorant way. Please dont generalize a community in a negative way. There may be bad people, politicians and policies in all community. It is true with Tamil Naidu and same is true with kerala. Just because all the “anonymous” cowards have seen some not-so-good people from a particular place does not mean that all the community is sinister. This type of racial feeling and that wave amplified though social media is not a healthy thing. Some foolish people (may be the ones that have commented above) may do foolish things.
If you truly believe that you are cultured and educated take things proactively and do something that will see results.
And one more thing, Tamil culture is one of the most rich and oldest cultures of India, which, definitely add on to the beauty of our diversity.

Mr.James Wilson, since this is your blog you have a personal responsibility to prevent these sought of emotion being propagated for your place. Sir my kudos for what you have written. It was scientific but simple enough for the common man.

Gokul said...

Well said sir..!hats off to u.. :-)

Praveen Raj said...

its an eye-opener,, good job mate,,

മനോജ് ആറ്റിങ്ങല്‍ said...

Posted on Sunday, November 7, 2010

Now we are in November 23, 2011

what has happened during the last one year in this regard...!

ഒറ്റനിലാപക്ഷി said...

Thank you, I have copied the text to my fb home..

mahesh said...

its a great article..i saw a video last day,ppl belonging to the disaster management committee were speaking..they were saying..After TEST results come..they will identify places that can accomodate people and where they can put danger announcements...I dont the beurocrats care anything about the value of people or property.if the dam is to break they may simply run to trivandrum..can u even imagine a kerala without ernakulam..if any such disaster happens India might witness the world biggest catastrophy followed by the biggest civil war..we cant wait until tests and verdicts are produced..we should act fast..i am not sure if any authorities would care about this blog or even ppl or tamil nadu hear this..but if a disaster happens...blood will be spilled..not water..

Thanks mr.james
great effort

Arun Puthussery said...

Great job Mr james Wilson, well said.Even we are on the road map in spreading about the human made disaster, Mullaperiyar dam which would kill lakhs of people's life.The politicians doesn't care about the value of the people and property.This article very well reveals the result of the huge disaster.We need to get united and protest against this huge danger..Thanks for your info

Anonymous said...

Great work. Really appreciate you patriotism and sincerity. I am sure for last few days majority of keralites are worried and lost sleep due to this. It is good to see that we are educating our self and we are doing our best to spread awareness.

But I would really like to send these messages to our neighbours. I saw the recent protests and demonstrations in tamilnadu and really feel they are selfish cruel people. I always had this feeling that Tamilians act and behave stupid everywhere and the majority movies they make are nothing less than Rubbish.

The way they used the term LOVE is really really irritating. Please send all the studies to those mother fucking bastards. Dont know if any one has heart there. When you see a tamilian bastard begging in your area hit and make him run out of our place bastards.

Anonymous said...

Sir, great work. I would recommend to quality check the document to correct spelling and grammar mistakes. Such things will reduce the readability and weakens the purpose.

SuKupedia ™ :) :) said...

thank you for this post .. for people like me who knew the matter in bits and pieces this is very informative.. I am sure this would silent the critics of the issue..

das said...

This is an Issue about Indian's living in the southern tip.Not Tamilians or Keralites.One needs water for his daily chores and the other needs to stop being washed away...Well done sir for the article..Do you think we can solve it?Even if the new dam is commissioned how long will it take to build it ?

jacob said...

Hello sir i have a doubt one of my friend told me that there is dispute in the position of the new dam,,is it also a reason from the tamil nadu side?

Anonymous said...

Very good work...Great effort is taken...

Anonymous said...

IS it true that the argreement renewed by C.Achuthamenon expired in 2000....??If its true on what basis they aare taking kerala's water...

Anonymous said...

Stunning research. Congrats. Hope this can reach the next level and move things.

Anonymous said...

hey dear tamilian... for u, getting water from kerala is bigger than the lives of thousands of innocent people??? u called our government selfish... waahh... nice... pls open ur eyes... see whats happening...

febin said...

good jod dear James wilson sir.... and smith you well said... they need water from our side and they cant even value our lifes... lets start with banning tamil cinema from our side..

Anonymous said...

How can anyone be so insensitive to an issue like this.i don't understand what those people are made of who are not terrified by the possibility of instant death of 3 million people..we are talking about human beings here.what is taking the supreme court so long to act!!!!!!!

Raj said...

Hello Great Blog and explains in detail. BTW why is TN reluctant to build a new dam ? Any reasons for that ? Is it because of the cost or is there any other reason ? Could you please shed some light on that ? Regards raj

siril said...

Excellent article James Wilson. I have no other word for it. I think we malayalees should take initiative in publishing this in every newspaper in this country or else we can ban reading the papers which wont print this. Seriously we need to take this matter. Its about the lives of many people and these tamilians are least bothered about that.

Sreekumar Nair said...

Thank you so much, Mr. James Wilson for this article. Has this article been presented to any authorities? How can we make higher authorities like PM's office, Supreme Court, etc to open their eyes?

Anoop said...

Please act seriously o this issue... we do not want our dam to explode this WATER BOMB. Please supreme court to act seriously.... And James Wilson ...well said and hands off you....

Anonymous said...

KINDLY JOIN WITH US SIR
http://www.facebook.com/groups/mullapperiyar/259590860756336/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/mullaperiyar/

Anonymous said...

If anything happens to Kerala, No Malyalees should promote anything realted to Tamil Nadu in Kerala, like their movies or goods or anything...Fully Anti-Tamil
They are playing with our lives. Who the hell think they are??
They live on our water and tell us to what to do...screw them...

Anonymous said...

raj : its because if new dam is built then there will be a new treaty..so the tn cant get the water as cheap as nw..

great work dud..from sterday onwards there is a series of articles on mathrubhumi about the mullaperiyar..and also the dam the river and the watershed of the rivers are inside the kerala state..

Anonymous said...

Good job Mr.James Wilson. Its really shocking reading all these things. "Right to Live" is a basic human right.Why we are not fighting for that . I think keralites are deaf and dumb.its ridiculous. See the revolutions going in the Arab countries. they are fighting with their lives.here there is no body to raise a single word to avoid such a catastrophe. I am Living in America and have sleepless nights thinking about this,coz I have family and friends in these areas....do something...react...fight...its too late..instead of blaming Tamil Nadu do our duty first...

Anonymous said...

Hi, i was born and brought up in tamil nadu, my ancestors hail from kerala, i believe the life of people is paramount. If there is even an iota of doubt about the safety of the dam, it has to be decommissioned. Tamilnadu is fearing livelihood, where as its the very life of people of Kerala that is at stake, kerala should do all that is possible to save the life of these people.

Unknown said...

superb article!!
thnx to sasi tharoor sir, only coz m a follwr of his, i cud get ths article... helpd mch 2 undrstnd facts nd figures...

Anonymous said...

Great article. I think we have to treat this as an emergency and Government should immediatly order reduction in water to 120ft for a starter. If, as someone said the 1970 agreement expired in 2000, then we should just assert our rights before Supreme Court. I know the reduction cannot be done in a day. Lets start now and inform the supreme Court that we are doing this because of the real danger involved. If they stay the action, then they will be responsible for the consequences.

I LOVED the stupid comments of tamil buddhoose.

Abdul Muneer said...

Thank you James Wilson for your kind effort. These are the kind of replies we need to give.

saju john said...

Dear Brother James,

Your blog is awsome to exposing the hiding truth behind in Mullaperiyar Dam.

Thank you for your great efforts.

jpk said...

Kerala requesting for a new dam because of Earthquakes happened in that area.
You know recently there happened 2 earthquakes with scale 3.4 and if the scale is above 4 , dam cannot afford it...
It will explode...
So kindly understand the situation...
Kerala didn't want a single drop of water from dam, but you must agree to lower the water level and then build a new Dam.

SIJOY JOS said...

sir you have done a great job....!!

Anonymous said...

Iam frm trichy but settled in Kerala...But I see the argument to build a new dam is more correct...irrigation and power generation is needed but not on any uman being's life...TN Govt is acting in a irresponsible manner....Govt of India sould order to build a new dam ASAP.

Anonymous said...

Very well explained & i beleive atleast few tamilians would read and understand the real situation rather than go by their egoistic politicians accessment...Our govt must define a time limit, if the talks come to impasse on that time, then our govt should take a audacious decision to build a new dam... Else,no way!!!

Anonymous said...

A well reasoned argument, probably The GOK would have been given the details. Why does Tamil Nadu oppose construction of a new dam> would there be stoppage of water supply to Tamil Nadu during construction?
Any way, it was an unfair matter ab-initio compounded by a State Government who should have built in adequate safety clauses while renewal was done.I live in Kochi which too would be wiped off in case of a problem the occurrence of which is likly as foretold by the latest set of tremors in Idukki.

Anonymous said...

Let me say first I am a keralite but I object the comments made against tamil people. Common people in TN are good. Of course their cinema taste and culture might be different. If they like those movies why shuld others object. Some dirty politicians like VAIKO ..who wants to save their sinking political aspiration is behind the problem. Now they r able to stop the release of Movie DAM 999 in TN. Think many people in TN doesn't know the gravity of the problem. We should make them realize the real threat to millions life in kerala . Kerala never said they won't give water. In fact promised the same amount of water after new dam is built. But with a new contract. I am sure if TN people c the movie they can get an idea what will happen if the DAM bursts. I think for any good human precious life will be more important than any thing else. Let us use all possible way to aware people in TN & Kerala on this.

BIJITH T G said...

Its very informative. great work. Thank you

Eluppam.com said...

Referred your blog as must read.

Bindu said...

Talil Nadu CM Jayalalitha has written a letter to PM saying the dam is safe. Let her live near idukki for two weeks if she has meant what she wrote. This is the right time for her to prove her commitment to nation.

Rediscoverkerala for nin-resident Indians said...

Dear MR.Wilson.,
My name is Xavier Kavalam, Mg.Editor, Re-discover Kerala.Please kindly send by mail your Mobile contact to personally talk to you..warm regards.
rediscoverkerala@gmail.com
editor@rediscoverkerala.com

Paluz said...

Good work Mr.James...Nice article!

martinmaliackal said...

james... u r a legend..!! no words to express..
if anything wrong happens, i swear to god, i ll fuck all d kerala polititians n whole tamil nadu..
tamil nadu producing electricity worth fr 10 crores per year n giving 10 lakhs to kerala. we r trying to help these freeking neighbours n they r taking advantage of it. take money, water, food, resources, anything.. juz save our lifes.

Hari kurup said...

Dear James,

This is a well studied article on Mullaiperiyar.
Thank u .

Riju said...

James,

Thank you. Really apretiate the time and effort put into this. Lets hope politics are set aside and sanity and logic prevails and the right decision is made. 40 Lakh lives depend on it.

surjith said...

sir great work.it is known that the issue is now with supreme court.yesterday the minister was telling abt the consequences if the dam breaks.whether any dam break analysis done? any measures frm govt part to tackle any vulnerable situation if happens?why all are keeping quiet.?

Mahesh said...

Amazing article written.... This should go viral for the benefit of the dam, the people of Kerala and for the people of TN. I am sure there would be a way to build a new dam and also not stop supply of water to TN....

Have reposted in my blog

Anonymous said...

Much appreciated the F&F listed in this blog. But as an ordinary citizen; I'm thinking how can contribute here.

Sasidharan Sankaran Kartha said...

The water from Mullaperiyar is used for power production in addition to irrigation and Tamil Nadu is earning in thousands of crores of which Kerala is not getting almost nothing. Once a new dam is constructed a new agreement will come into force with Tamilnadu and they stand to lose the privilage they enjoy at the cost of Kerala.This seems to be basic fact behind the objection of the TN against a new dam. Even if the dam fails there is loss only to Kerala. For a moment think the issue reversing the positions of Kerala and TN!! With the powerful politicians in the state and at center a new dam would have been in place years ago!

Anonymous said...

Hey anonymous Tamilan : You claim inconsistencies in the document ? Where ? When he is talking of the Idukki capacity, the second time, he is talking of spillage water, not the hugh deluge if the dam breaks... Read carefully...

And if the dam breaks, where will Tamil Nadu go for water ? Do you think Kerala will give you water if a new dam is constructed after the existing one fails and Kerala losing 3 Million lives ? Think logically....

Kerala Govt. has promised TN water even if a new dam is constructed downstream... So what is the problem ?

Tamilan said...

Absolute ridiculous comments...If Kerala want to build a dam.. Why can't they propose the plan? TN is not completely against the new dam..
TN is fearing that Kerala is trying to build a dam in a place where even if Kerala decides to give water they cant give...

Ajaykumar said...

Wonderful and commendable work you have done . This has to be published in any of the News paper. Any way this article has to be shared among FB
community.

Hats off Mr Wilson.
I donot know when the authorities are going to open their eyes

Radha said...

Its a pity to see so much of anonymous writers here..People dont want to express thier opinion as they think the dam will never break and they dont want to sacrifice thier friendship with thier tamil friends..Tamilians or politicians will never understand or will be concerned about such a dam break as it will never effect them...But i am worried here sitting in chennai as i have my family and home back there in the flood path...i have parents and brothers and sisters and i dont want to see them washed away...anyways i am helpless as we keralites has lost our reacting power for a common good cause..there has been a state wide bandh in tamil nadu about 3 years back for getting water from mullaperiyar...but not a single strike in the harthal prone kerala to save our lives, our family and our places...god save us else be preoactive...am preparing myself for the bad news

James Wilson said...

Thanks to all of u for ur response. .I was entangled with our lawyers to give a rejoinder to the TN's response on the new dam. I noticed that the blog became viral and also seen that a lot of anonymous comments here with racial and bigot tone. The intention of this blog is to share facts rather than fiction. No more anonymous/racial comments will not be entertained here. So I changed the settings, henceforth the comments will be moderated.

F3liX said...

The dam built for 50 years has survived a century ! now its time for it to rest and a better one to stand for it !!
New dam = Better dam = more storage and electricity = more prosperous people (even Tamilians)

PS: A man falling from a cliff wont worry about CANCER ! People are scared to drown, death by starvation will only come later !!!

Raghunath said...

Mr James, why does your blog not include even one reference if it is talking FACTS ??

Nathan said...

This is to clarify certain points. Can you take time to watch this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7uJ1nhXZ_A

ஆண்டாள்மகன் said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7uJ1nhXZ_A

bp said...

Came across your blog yesterday just by chance ... 10 individual wall posts and 3 group wall posts is all it took ... just came back to see if it had any effect ... it sure did :) ... another facebook magic ... rest assured/pray hope that this blog will be pasted in every Indians wall ...
=================
Anonymous said...

facebook got this now ... now it's only a matter of days ... before this blog goes viral, if not already ... very well written!!!
November 23, 2011 12:49 AM

Umsy said...

U are doing a great service Mr. Wilson!!! Thanks for sharing the facts. Some how we must create an awareness and build a new dam. I have shared on FB and google Plus and will be sharing on twitter also.

I think we should be united in our effort and some how get the Govt to take action FAST!!!

Trial and Error.. said...

Very informative, Thanks

SJ said...

Thanks for the amazing article. Really informative.

This is the biggest gamble ever made on the lives of human beings and a big ecosystem.

Unknown said...

Mr.James! I have shown my support here in a different way. Hope we see sum change soon! http://whendasungoesdown.blogspot.com/2011/11/kerala-dam-bursts-millions-dead.html#more

MKB Menon said...

Dear sir,
It is wonderful to see such detailed report that is sensible, rational and digestable to the common man. I must confess, that, had the report been tagged by the name of a foreigner this same report would have achieved greater dimensions. Unfortunately we no not how to respect ourselves. Those who have ridiculed this article are like the ones that are pretending to sleep and not actually sleeping because they can never be awakened.
The very fact that a lease agreement was signed for 999 years is absurd. How can any one (be it the maharaja) decide the destinies of nearly 10 generations to come. How can anyone have a contract that is valid for 999 years, when the very people who built the dam expected it to function for under 60 years.
Over the years we have noticed that politics in TN have run more by generating passion rather than issues and its no different here. To assume that the money TN stand to gain is more valuable than the lives of people in Kerala is pathetic.
The issue is also to be taken up by the community who deal with the law to speed up things in the court by setting deadlines and meeting them.
Let us hope that this article will be taken up by all communities and a constructive and collective movement is generated. Agitations are all that we know. I think its time to move on and start working towards achieving the goal.

Tony said...

@James, you have done a great work indeed James, very much appreciate the effort you have taken. I havnt seen any profound research about this, which is based on evidence and based on reasoning. I offer my best to circulate this among my friends and all the ones I know.

Anonymous said...

Hi James
Excellent blog. But I think only people from kerala is reading this blog. We should do all the possible things to get support from the people of other states and countries too. I will promote this in the social networking sites and every where possible. please try to publish this in online magazines and newspapers also...

ബിജു said...

thanks

Rajesh said...

first f all thanks for providing the valuable informations....wht r d proposals put by govt f kerala for saving the dam?

bivin said...

Dear James Sir,

(1) If We do Some Dredging and Increase the depth in the Drainage Basin of Mullaaperiyar and Idukki dams, will it reduce the Pressure on the Dam Walls. If so why cant we do the same.
(2) If the Dam is in such a hazardous position why dont we request the govt to relocate the People living in the Hazard zone between Mullaperiyar and Idukki Dam.
(3) I believe that a survey had been done and a new location for the dam is identified around 1500 ft away from the current mullaperiyar dam Wall. What is the legal complication in Building the same. Do we need The permission of Tamilnadu for that. kindly reply.
(4) If the Dams Mullaperiyar and idukki fails which all are the places (not the districts) places that will be adversely affected Make it the Most probable.

Jinoop said...

Sir,
Firstly your work deserve best appreciations....

Why cant we go for a dam(Made of RCC) in between mullaperiyar and idukki dam.Which has a better capacity say 2 times that of mullaperiyar.so that it can sustain the impact of the water from mullaperiyar dam in case of emergency.Then after that we can fight in the court for dismantling the mulla periyar dam.

Do we require consent from TN for any construction along the 36 km stretch btwn Mullaperiyar and idukki dam?

After constructing the new dam can we relocate the people to the downstream of the same?

Why cant we approach the experts from around the world to suggest a location for a new dam?(I am not depreciating our talents , but the words from the foreigners are considered right in India).

We malayalis live all around the world.Why cant we attract the attention of the global medias to this issue?

Jinoop pv(Civil Engineer-Mumbai Metro rail project)

Anonymous said...

Your observations are true to my belief.
Wish you all the best.

Unknown said...

HI,,,,,

This is Melvin Jose. I own a blog and wrote up a small article on Mullaperiyar. Had I seen this earlier I would have simply posted the link under my heading and left it there. Hats off to Mr James. Its an evidently elaborated article.

Would like to add a bit of my personal experience here. It isn't fare to come up with a biased opinion. So, I have been trying to talk about this topic among my Tamil friends and I have realized that the common man isn't well informed or interested in the issue. A few of them are misguided by arguments that Surki (old substitute of cement) is far stronger than concrete and that the dam is supported by huge pillars and columns that are drilled deep into the rocks. I guess that is not the case with a mullaperiyar.

The concerned authorities on the other side of the border doesn't seem to understand the fears of common man here. I am working in bangalore, the last time I spoke to my mother she said, "See you for Christmas if the dam doesn't break".

radhakrishnan said...

kudos to james efforts!!!!!!!!!! we totally agree with you and extend full moral support to all your efforts to convince the concerned.

Anoop G said...

Can you delete the offensive comments ?

Please..................

SilverArrows said...

Very informative article. I wish the TN politicians see some value for the endangered lives of the people in a state which has supported and co-existed as a very good neighbour all these years.

Sreejith said...

Hi James,

My name is Sreejith Gangadharan, I have been working as a Water Resources Engineer with XPSoftware, Australia.

Good article.

I did many dambreak analysis, flood routing, and trained many engineers.

I would be happy to do a dambreak analysis, flood routing analysis etc even using 2D modelling packages if I can get the DTM and other hydrologic data.

Regards,
sreejith@xpsoftware.com
sreejithths@gmail.com

arnkutty said...

Thanks Mr. James Wilson for the informative report. Its the duty of Gov. of Kerala to safeguard the life of people. TN Gov. also have to make sure that their farmers continue to get the same amount of water for agriculture. It is time for CM of Kerala and TN sit with PM - forget dirty and vote bank politics for a good cause - and decide on new dam. The kind of money these Goverments spend on vote bank politics will be more than sufficient to build a new Dam.

vishnu said...

hats off to you Sir, for the detailed study did.......

Anonymous said...

u added a gr8 knowledge regarding this dam to me. gud work my friend

Anonymous said...

We are not driven by facts and logical stuff. Whether in Kerala or Tamil Nadu, It is driven by Political interests. Majority of the Indians just follow their leaders without thinking about the consequences. When I was reading through the comments, Brothers and Sisters in Tamil Nadu thinks that it is a conspiracy to deny water to them. Obviously they don't trust Kerala Government. They don't think now that if the dam break they are not going to get water for years. So it is not Far sighted. If you were following the discussions about the new dam, Tamil Nadu wants to control the new dam and that is it. Solution would be easy if both parties trust each other. Political class in Kerala needs vote and Tamil Nadu politicians also need vote. So the better option is to make a big issue out of these than concentrating on development. It is funny that people in the same country speak this way. Kerala needs vegetable from TN and TN needs that money too. So whole of this issue does not make sense. Rather than fighting on racist tone better convince the respective governments to take some action than keeping the people in trouble.

gchan said...

Grate,both technical and legal, Presented in a most professional way.Hope the authorities will look in to the matter seriously and try to save life of 35 lacks peoples.My humble sugestion is Construct a new dam immidiatly till that time drain out the existing water for the sake of people living in 5 districts.

P Chandran

Jikkumon - Thattukadablog.com said...

വളരെ നല്ല പോസ്റ്റ്‌.. ഞാനിതു ഷെയര്‍ ചെയ്യുന്നു സര്‍

anandpz said...

If it happens no doubt Kerala will divided into two. Ernakulam,Part of Kottayam including my home and Alapuzha will be vanished from Kerala. TN will never get water from the dam after it. So a new dam is the only solution. Try for it.Pray for it Hope for it....................

Achu said...

wow sir congrats, read your blog.
Is their any way to submit this at supreme court as mass pleading for human safety which can force the court to come to a decision really fast. Any LLBs in here who can advise on this ?

Other thing, is agreement expired ? If yes why are we begging them for what they dont have control?

Siddharth said...

I am a tamilian. this is ridiculous that TN govt. is still not taking care for the people of kerala. Its easy to run our emotions on high but then many people here don't understand the gravity of the issue and keep thinking that this an issue of water sharing like the one we suffered from Karnatka. But its for the govt of both TN and Kerala to sit and have a jingoistic free dialogue. its high time TN wake up.

Lexman said...

Excellent Article, and finally all the technical details we were searching for are here!

Hats off for your work done !

pal said...

Dear all,

Please see this video which ur beloved james wilson tried to hide the truth.

http://vimeo.com/18283950

dhroop said...

thank u sir for this detailed report...

Punalurkannan said...

Very good job. Congrat for ur dedication to the cause.
kerala stands for "WATER FOR T.N.SAFETY FOR KERALA" principle.
Rajagopal.T Rtd C.E.WRD,KERALA

Gokul said...

Thank you James for putting this in for public reference.. Appreciate you sincerly.. Keep going and find out a possible remedy to solve the situation between these 2 states.

Regards
Gokul

Hax said...

Good Job James....But pls do remember no one in TN want people in Kerala to die of floods, god forbid if this dam breaks.

The people of TN are just being cautious after the betrayal of few states in water sharing.

When this issue is sub judice its best you put forth your arguments and try to find an amicable solution, rather than writing blogs which may kindle unnecessary hatered among people of 2 states.

jai kallikkal said...

Hi James Wilson,
Finally a composite analysis of the ground reality. It was wonderful to read your report tied up with technical details. Though the Mullaperiyar issue is hanging fire, it has failed to evoke a National response. Tamil Nadu is fighting a three way battle. It has dispute with three neighbouring states on account of water and it would'nt want to lose a fertile watering pot such as Kerala. Kerala on the other hand is arm twisted through road blockages and the like due to its heavy dependency on neighbouring states for even basic provisions. A serious affair. We are with you on this.
regards,
JP

tho said...

Hi James,
Why does Tamil Nadu object to a new Dam?
Only coz Kerala has not agreed to give total control of the new Dam to TN.lets give the control of the water and the new dam to TN. Then TN will agree to build a new dam at their cost to protect kerala.
regards,
thomavar

pranooppanikketty said...

Very great job ..Appreciated

Red said...

HELLO SIR!!
VERY INFORMATIVE AND PRECISE WRITE UP ABOUT THE ISSUE THAT HAS LITERALLY MADE ALL OF US SLEEPLESS.I HAIL FROM COCHIN AND CURENTLY LIVE IN BANGALORE.SIR,KINDLY TELL WHAT IS THE MOST REALISTIC,FEASIBLE FASTEST SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE??PLS THROW SOME LIGHT INTO THIS MATTER ASAP!

THANKS
HASNA

CR. Girijan Acharya said...

Mullapperiyar Lease agreement has been renewed in 1970 by then Chief Minister of Kerala C.Achutha Menon.

Please read and evaluate the strength of Tamilnadu why they and Supreme court are keeping mum.......

On 29 October 1886, a lease indenture for 999 years was made between Maharaja of Travancore, Vishakham Thirunal and Secretary of State for India for Periyar irrigation works. The lease agreement was signed by Dewan of Travancore V Ram Iyengar and State Secretary of Madras State (under British rule) J C Hannington. This lease was made after constant pressure on Travancore King by the British for 24 years. The lease indenture inter alia granted full right, power and liberty to construct, make and carry out on the leased land and to use exclusively when constructed, made and carried out all such irrigation works and other works ancillary thereto to Secretary of State for India (now Tamil Nadu). The agreement was to give 8000 acres of land for the reservoir and another 100 acres to construct the dam. And the tax for each acre was 5 RS per year. When India became independent, the lease got expired. After several failed attempts to renew the agreement in 1958, 1960, and 1969, the agreement was renewed in 1970 when C Achutha Menon was Kerala Chief Minister. According to the renewed agreement, the tax per acre was 30 RS, and for the electricity generated in Lower Camp using Mullaperiyar water, the charge was 12 RS per kiloWatt per hour. Tamil Nadu uses the water and the land, and the Tamil Nadu government has been paying to the Kerala government for the past 50 years 2.5 lakhs Rs as tax per year for the whole land and 7.5 lakhs RS per year as surcharge for the total amount of electricity generated.[6]

அழகப்பன் அண்ணாமலை said...

Dear James! do you have the terrain data between mullaiperiyar dam and idukki. or do you have the mathematical model of your analysis? if yes, is it possible to post that data here. That will really help to understand the problem instead of statistical information.

Unknown said...

James.. Thank you for taking the pain to gather all these information and put together. Appreciate your effort. Let our fellow Indians know the fact behind our fear.

Meenukkutty said...

Great effort!!!...Hats off for the pain taken in collecting all these data. These counter arguments should be brought to the notice of Supreme court and our authorities.

Anonymous said...

Sir, Your counters are looking good as you gave only half of the information. There is no mention about the reinforcement works done at MullaPeriyar dam in this article.

And Kerala Government can now ask an unit of architects from Tamilnadu to see the situation to confirm. We can avoid politics on that. But, they are insisting only on new Dam!

Please see this article sir.
http://bit.ly/w1ctzn

I'm a Tamilan. But, I am NOT biased towards one side. Because, there are lot of tamil people too living in the so-called danger-prone area.

Thanks.

tho said...

HEY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY COMMENT??

Hax said...

James...it would be great if you can also include the Supreme Courts order issued in 2006 on this issue in your blog. Let everyone know what SC ruling was and why keralas argument was not accepted by SC.

Unknown said...

Send this to Sh!# H@&% Jayalalitha

Swamy said...

Hello James,
It’s so nice that you have made a hard work on this particular issue. I have few more questions, my intension is to avoid and help people dying in water\for water and without water.
1) While checking for the seismic zones, Kerala falls in zone 2 and if that’s correct what is the max level of quake that can occur?
2) You were saying there are lots of recent quakes, Where is the epicenter for the Quake?
3) For how many miles the tremor was felt?
4) If we say the places near the dam fall in active or more hazardous seismic zone, then more people will die even before the dam breaks
5) If a quake of 6.5 or more happens, will the Idukki dam stay intact? Was it built to withstand 6.5 and above Quakes?
6) If we build a new dam in place of this MullaiPeriyar will that be protected against the natural disaster? We can argue that this is a new dam and natural disaster will not wait or look for old or new.
7) Did Supreme Court look on to the CWC safety checklist before ordering to increase the dam to 142 feet?(think its in 2006)
8) Where does the river originate from ?

Swamynathan

Anonymous said...

Hello great work. I would like appreciate you for this work. If this is kept in front of Supreme court, it would be a fabulous Kerala report. Once again, the post was so good.

Mohammed Shayas M K
Kasaragod

namo said...

I have presented some different views in my article..
http://rajeevlakshmi.blogspot.com/2011/12/dam-mad.html

anoop said...

Excellent Effort !!!

Mahendran V said...

hi guys,

suppose if you think that a new dam will solve your life threatening problem, then can you just justify it?
Also explain the plan you have to give water too Tamilnadu from new dam?
Did you consider the amount of forest gonna be submerged to build a new dam?

Plan1:
If you say, the old dam is weak, then let us demolish the dam and build a new one at the same place with latest technology in the universe. Are you guys ready for it?

Plan2:
Let us build a new dam as per your Keral government plan. For that why do you wanna demolish the older one. You guys build a new dam, and take over the control. Let us raise the water level of old dam to 152. If in case the old dam is broken due to earthquake or heavy flood, then the new dam whatever you have built will have the capacity to store the flood water. So there will be 2 levels of protection. First one is the new proposed dam, then Iduki dam.

I am expecting other ideas also. Instead of simply denying each other's arguments, let us have a feasible solution.

ajith nair said...

Man u r a genius u rocks!

ajith nair said...

I wonder why our government is not consulting this person b4 making some dumb statements in front of those honorable courts? Also the Govt should promote this guy to the future dam construction authority panel. Our state needs wise guys like him to debate on our most important requirement like our survival!Hat's of to you! I googled all around but u are the only person with the correct tech backup,keep up the good work may god saves kerala!

EssentiallyBinosh said...

Sir, Check out the video created by the Tamil engineers, showing their explanation.Its was posted by a blogger in comments. Plzz can u or anybody giv a reasonable explanation 4 it...

அழகப்பன் அண்ணாமலை said...

here is the technical information. Read it fully if you have time http://mullaiperiyaranai.blogspot.com/

SRIHARAN said...

ARGUMENTS OF TAMIL NADU ARE BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCES AND HIS ARGUMENTS ARE ASSUMPTIONS,POSSIBILITIES AND PROBABILITIES.

Dr T N Seema said...

thank u very much for the details,it's really informative and useful

BE INDIAN said...

This is not to hurt you;
this issue has been portrayed by the dirty politician as the sentiments of the people of the both states. Just they they want to gain momentum by stimulating the emotions of the innocent people.

My request to the blogger is e-media is a powerful mode of communication. The authenticity of the arguments & counter arguments is questionable since you have not mentioned the source of these points.

Kind Attention Modern techies:
Don't believe whatever you read in websites & blogs.Check for the authenticity , if you really concerned about the society.

thanks

Hax said...

Why are Tamil pilgrims to Sabarimala are targeted by Mullaperiyar activists in Kerala.

chinnadada said...

Dear James,
Nice job...
Argument 1:
It is a laymen argument to say that only big structures will be collapsed. Safety is same for large and small dams as their sizes are designed accordingly.

Argument 2:
Astin Bridge was designed to be thirty feet thick, but was built only twenty feet thick. And the problems were detected with in few months after completion
Tigra dam constructed in 1916 and failed in 1917 due to its infiltration into its sandstorm foundation.
Khadakwasla Dam had to be blown, as the Panshet Dam overflowed.
Kantalai dam - heavy traffic of 30-Tonnen-Lastwagen over the dam and vibration led to oozing water

None of them were collapsed due to age factor.

Argument 3:
Are you trying to say that the entire capacity of Mullai Periyar has to be accommodated by Idukki dam?. Isn't it ridiculous to say that entire water will be drained and nothing will be stagnated? I agree that around 75,000 people on the banks of River Periyar. Apart from 500 families (app), rest of them live at places where the MSL is 3000 feet minimum. KL said that they are relocating those 500 families as well..

Argument 4 and 5
TN can easily prove you that how much we were affected in irrigation of those areas. Anyhow these arguments are nothing to do with the safety of the dam.

Argument 6
That is the main reason why Kerala is trying to lower the water level of Mullai periyar dam. Kerala constructed idukki dam in 1973 and they did not get full benefits unlike they expected. In order to get full benefits of it, they need to raise the water level of Idukki dam by lowering the water level of Mullai periyar dam. Also Kerala could not endure TN producing electricity by their water. So this DAM GAME started.

Argument 7
Several experts of CWC have checked the dam and certified that it is safe. Is CWC biased?

Argument 8
‘Except the case of Mullaperiyar, all other places the PMF values were calculated by CWC in a realistic manner and it is very high than the observed flood’ – You blame CWC, TN and etc. If everything is coming your way, then you're in the wrong lane

Regards,
Pravin Kumar

just_humble said...

James, Great work!
Jayalalitha is all set to play a power game to compete with Thaatha. The tamilians are soul less fools, who wants to dictate everyone for their aggressive greed. Vaiko(Psycho) is the worst brainless chatterbox who thinks they've been feeding the mallus all these years. Little does he realize that without Kerala market, their crops and commodities will be waiting rotten on the farms..
If kerala starts a green revolution by using its water resources, TN will have to stop farming.

TN gets water from AP at the rate of 3 crores per TMC, and at the same time 'sucks' water from Kerala without limits for just 40,000 Rs per 70 TMC. Though they are supposed to obey the contract, TN sucks water beyond limits from unauthorised channels from Kerala Water reservoirs.
If the Dam breaks and even a single Keralite is killed, these Tamilians should not be given a drop of water from our land.

just_humble said...

@ Mahendran..
Mahi, from your comments its evident that you are a tamil nadu supporter. Keralites are not born to die taking hardships so you guys can enjoy our resources for cheap price. You think if there is a protecting wall, we can wait for a Dam to break?
Do you know the life and material loss when such a mishap occurs?
start thinking rationally and speak wise...

senthilma said...

for all malayali dogs mullai periyar is prop of tamilnadu...do u know what is the basement of the dam? do you know the construction history of that dam? how many sacrifices for that u know? nothing u know, simply you people having diplomatic ideas only.... u people only fearing about contract... that dam is more stronger than idikki dam... it can withstand up to 7 Richter and more than that too... we gave devipattanam taluk and beermedu taluk to you, that is the biggest problem we made..
kerala foxes... u don't know the gentle and brave of tamilans...
go and read 2006 supreme court judgement..
like Mr. veerappan need not to answer for you..
first of all we need not to ans for u kind of semis..
as per agreement 999 years that is prop of tamilans..
as per supreme court judgement there is no point of kerala govt objections lik that.
eventhough anything happen to the dam we won't see simply...
Bloody foxes......

VKC said...

Can anyone have the answer for what Mahendran said.
I absolutely agreed with Mahendran.

Mahesh Lekshmi said...

Can we stay togother for our JUSTICE?

Anonymous said...

Don’t think that kerala people are genius and Tamil people are idiots. Both have a history and the world knows who is good and who is bad. First the fear created by the politicians and malayala media in 1963. See.. how many years gone..What happened to the dam up to now?. People from kerala talking the dam are going to break and who gave the authority to talk about the healthiness of any dam. Nobody should talk about the healthiness of any dam except the technical experts. Already the expert committee formed by honable supreme court and it ordered to raise the water level to 142 feet. But the kerala politicians still not implemented this and passed new bill to hold it. This issue also under honable supreme court. I ask you one thing weather kerala is in india and are they super powerful than honable supreme court. Experts coming from each house of kerala saying that the dam is weak. Further somebody commented that Tamil peoples are bad. Such a people are forgetting the benefits getting from TN. or otherwise dont have knowledge in this. TN is the state where all the people can live respectful manner. Somebody told 30,000 kerala people are living happily still before the fire spread by kerela politicians. TN people respect the fear of the people at this same time they doubt the kerala politicians because they will turn back easily. TN people thinking that kerala people and politicians are not happy with 999 years of agreement made between between the Maharaja of Travancore and the Secretary of the State for India in 1886. It’s a bitter true only. If such an agreement made for the benefit of kerala form TN, TN people may not like this. Its reality and human nature. TN people of giving back as vegetables, rice, electricity sand, food, milk , education facilities( most of the people are studying TN only) etc etc . you may say these you are getting by giving money. Its true but these are valuable than money you must understand.. Now come to the point so they want to break the agreement by saying to built new dam. It it is not true can you come with a solution of building a new dam with similar agreement for 999 years and giving the control of dam to TN. Many people are telling that you take full water. Saying this is very easy. Can you give this word in an agreement? You will definitely back your step. If your fear is genuine you can suggest this type of solution. Further you must understand ( if you think why should we give water to TN ) if everybody thinks like selfish you will be suffered a lot. Because you only spread all over world. Justice is common for all. And legally all matters are strong for TN. Today you are people plea to reduce the water level to 120 feet is dismissed. You have answered so many questions and answer my only one questions too.
1. You all fearing if earthquake comes the dam will break , my question is what will happen if a strong earthquake comes in idukki and other dam areas? Is there any dams in the world which is stronger than a heavy eq? why you are not fearing in that aspects?

EmBee said...

Mr. James, a fantastic write-up. I got to understand more about the issue thanks to the clear presentation.

Muthuvenkatachalam said...

Give these points to Kerala Govt Advocate to produce to Anantha Committe or Supreme Court.. Let them decide..
All Ifs and Buts... Not based on facts..
One Example...
Only 6 times in last 30 years the gross storage crossed the storage capacity of Idukki Dam.. You must have given the fact that how long it takes for water to travel from mullaperiyar to idukki if dam breaks.. and at what pace the Idukki can release water and be ready to receive water from mullaperiyar if it breaks.. this fact is hidden in this article... All ifs and buts cannot be answered...
Of please wait till Ananth Committe submit its reports.. why much hype before the committe submits report.. because the report is going to be in favour of stands of Tamilnadu... just wait and see my dear brothers and sisters...

Muthuvenkatachalam said...

If Safety is the only issue, then what is the problem for Kerala to agree to build the new dam in the same location... Can anybody answer this question constructively? pls...

pango said...

Great James, for giving in-depth technical details on the issue. I as a malayalee now got a clear understanding of the issue.

Premus said...

Document this with all supporting proofs and send it to all media houses as well as major dailies. publish this in all social network pages. president of India, prime minister and Supreme Court should read this. I request all NRK (Non Resident Keralites) and NRI(Keralites)s to participate in this fight for our rights. Tomorrow we need a place to go back. I request all keralites (from south end to north end) to unite beyond the barriers of distance and political interests for a safe future, to safe guard our land.

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