According to newspaper reports, the Idukki District Disaster Management Authority meet presided over by District Collector V Ratheeshan has agreed to set up as many as 12 rescue shelters for those residing in the vicinity of the Mullaperiyar Dam in Kerala to combat rising water levels and subsequent opening of shutters if required.
The Water Resources Department too has been asked to update the district administration regularly about the actual levels of water at any given point. Whenever the dam-shutters would have to be opened, all the 129 families who would be affected would immediately be shifted to the proposed 12 rescue shelters under the supervision of special rehabilitation teams, which would soon be constituted.
The maintenance works of the public roads from Shanthppalam in Ayyappankovil panchayat till Chappathu and also that of the early warning systems at Ayyappankovil, Anavilasam and Chakkupallam villages in the Idukki district of Kerala too, would be completed at the earliest.
While BSNL officials were directed to improve connectivity at the Vallakkadavu Forest Range Office, the tehsildars were asked to coordinate closing of gates of the plantations in the area should any such contingency arise. Night patrolling and clearance of roads would be ensured by the district police force with the support of the Quick Response Team of 100 police personnel from Malappuram district.
At present the water level in the reservoir stands at 136.80 feet.