GS1The Hindu · Current Affairs
Concerns rise in border districts over low storage in Mullaperiyar
Mullaperiyar Dam storage falls to 112.9 feet in July, deepening farm, tourism, and drinking-water stress in Kerala-Tamil Nadu border districts
SP
Samachar Pathshala Desk
Published 16 Jul 2026 · 1 min
Key takeaways
- Mullaperiyar Dam storage fell to 112.9 feet in July 2026, compared with 131.4 feet on the same date last year.
- Nearly 1.5 lakh acres of farmland depend on Mullaperiyar water, including 14,700 hectares in Theni district.
- Low storage at Mullaperiyar Dam can affect boating and other tourist activities at the Periyar Tiger Reserve at Thekkady and drinking-water supply in Kumily and Chakkupallom panchayats.
Mullaperiyar Dam storage has fallen sharply in July to 112.9 feet, well below 131.4 feet on the same date last year. The low level is significant because the dam supports irrigation in border districts and also affects tourism and drinking-water supply in nearby localities.
The UPSC angle
GS1GS2GS3Essay
Mullaperiyar Dam storage decline as a case study in irrigation dependence and inter-state water stress
UPSC can frame Mullaperiyar Dam around geography, inter-state water disputes, and the trade-off between irrigation needs, tourism, and drinking-water supply. The issue also helps in Mains answers on water governance, climate variability, and the vulnerability of paddy-based farming systems.
