Idukki: After days of anxiety over the rising water level in Mullaperiyar dam, people living in the downstream villages had a slight relief today with the inflow into the reservoir on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border decreasing.
According to official sources, the water level came down slightly after scaling over 141 feet last evening, prompting Kerala government to put in place contingency plans for the safety of the people.
Since this morning, there had been a let up in rains and inflow had decreased, they said.
Kerala has been complaining that reduction in drawal of water by Tamil Nadu was the main reason for rise in water level in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) veteran and opposition leader V S Achuthanandan came down heavily on the Tamil Nadu Government for turning down Kerala's plea to reduce the water level without giving any concern to the safety of about four million people in the downstream areas.
In a statement, he wanted Kerala Government to approach the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention in the matter in consideration of the safety of the people in vulnerable areas.
