The Supreme Court on Friday directed Tamil Nadu to scrupulously obey the decision of the sub-committee constituted by the Centre to bring down the water level at Mullaperiyar dam in a phased manner.
The petition filed by a resident staying in the downstream area of the dam had approached the apex court seeking urgent directions to manage the disaster in Kerala arising out of the incessant rains which posed a grave threat to the water level of the dam exceeding the permissible 142 feet.
The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice DY Chandrachud directed the State Government of Kerala to coordinate all rescue and rehabilitation efforts with the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the sub-committee set up to deal with the safety of the dam.
The Court said that the immediate need was to bring down the water level of the dam to 139 feet and provide disaster relief to residents affected by the floods in the State. However, the Court said it is not an expert to direct on these issues and left it to the sub-committee of the Centre and NCMC to pass orders. It directed Tamil Nadu to "scrupulously" obey the decision of the sub-committee and NCMC which is an expert body.
Posting the matter for hearing on August 24, the bench directed the Kerala Chief Secretary to file a report on the rehabilitation and rescue operations conducted in the State. It said that the responsibility of Kerala is more as it is faced with a calamity. The death toll in the monsoon fury in the southern state has crossed 167, while rains and flood water have caused extensive damage.
Rise in flood waters in Periyar River due to the rains and opening of the shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir and Idamalayar, have severely affected the lives of people in downstream areas.