"THE TICKING TIME BOMB WAITING TO EXPLODE IN KERALA", THE MULLAPERIYAR DAM.
Hello guys, hope you guys are doing well. Today I am going to tell you about "the ticking time bomb" of Kerala. Yes, you heard it right, its actually a time bomb that can explode in any time, located in Kerala. Its the Mullaperiyar Dam.
Mullaperiyar Dam is huge dam that is constructed over Periyar river, in Idukki District of Kerala. Mullaperiyar Dam is a 176 feet high dam which is located at an elevation of 2890 feet above the sea level. Although this Dam is located in Kerala, the Tamil Nadu government has the full control over its operation. Now, let me just tell you some history about this Dam, and gonna tell you why this Dam is of great concern.
The idea of diversion of Periayar river was conceived in the 18th century to address the acute water shortage in southern districts of Tamil Nadu. But, the plan was later dropped because it needed huge amount of money. Then, later in the year 1882 the plan was finally approved to build a dam which was designed by Major John Pennycuick. And in the year 1886, the Periyar Lease Agreement was signed by Diwan of Travancore and the Madras State Secretary. After the Independence of India, the Periyar Agreement was renewed and both the Government signed in the Agreement. According to the Agreement the rent of the land was increased by Rs.30 per acre, and allowed Tamil Nadu government to generate electricity from the Dam. Now let me tell you what is the main problem with this Dam.
A Dam that is made using modern technology can last upto 50 years. But the Mullaperiyar Dam has been leased to Government of Tamil Nadu for 999 Years, and today this Dam is about 125 years old. Now you may ask why is this Dam not decommissioned yet. The Tamil Nadu Government claims that, decommissioning the dam will lead to water shortage in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu.
Idukki District is a seismic area and studies have found that an earthquake greater than magnitude 6, can collapse the Dam. According to the United Nations University for Institute for water, health and environment and IIT Roorkee, IIT Delhi says that if, it is not decommissioned or reconstructed then it will collapse in any time. And if this dam gets collapsed then it is estimated that almost 50 lakh people will lose there life. Six districts in the heart of Kerala will be completely wiped off, which will make south and north into two islands. Studies says that if this Dam collapses, then the potential energy will be converted into kinetic energy, which will be 180 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Idukki District will be wiped out in a minute, when this 15 TMC water engulf the entire district and will not take much time to reach other districts of Kerala and at last reaching the Bay of Bengal. The sea will not accept this huge amount of water into it, which will in turn retract the water back into the west cost of India, which will destroy the entire "Gods Own Country".
In short, the Mullaperiyar Dam is a atomic bomb which is capable of destroying most of South India. If both the government doesn't take any necessary steps immediately, then lakhs and lakhs of people will loose there life and the small state of Kerala will be completely wiped out from our map.
