Lok Sabha Debates
Occurrence Of Repeated Earthquakes In The Idukki District Of Kerala. on 7 December, 2011
> Title: Occurrence of repeated earthquakes in the Idukki district of Kerala.
SHRI P.T. THOMAS (IDUKKI): Respected Madam, 35 lakhs people of Kerala including my parliamentary constituency, Idukki, are under constant fear of a disaster of Mullaperiyar Dam.
I am appealing to the hon. House to express its concern over this grave situation. … (Interruptions) Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed in the year 1885 and it is designed for 50 years. … (Interruptions)
सभापति महोदया : जिस विषय पर आपका मैटर है, आप उसी पर बोलिए।
…( व्यवधान)
SHRI P.T. THOMAS : But the old Victorian era Mullaperiyar Dam now completed one hundred and sixteen years. We, the people of Kerala, are requesting the Central Government to give sanction for constructing a new dam below the Mullaperiyar Dam and protect our people. … (Interruptions) Madam, our slogan is ‘Water for Tamil Nadu and Safety for Kerala’. That is our slogan.
I am inviting the attention of this hon. House, the temple of Indian democracy, to intervene and avoid a huge calamity which is hanging over the heads of 35 lakh people of 4 districts of Kerala.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: What is the matter Shri P.T. Thomas?
… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.T. THOMAS : Madam, after last July, 26 earthquakes occurred in and around Mullaperiyar Dam. … (Interruptions) People firmly believe that today or tomorrow the dam will collapse.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Please send the slips who want to associate with it.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.T. THOMAS : Tens and thousands of people are on streets. It is a question of life and death.
I will request immediate attention of the Government to the series of earthquakes that occurred in Idukki district in Kerala recently.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except Shri P.T. Thomas.
(Interruptions) … * SHRI P.T. THOMAS : It raises fresh concerns about the safety of the century-old Mullaperiyar Dam, which is in weak condition. The earthquake of magnitude 3.8 on the Richter scale occurred in the area recently. In the current year itself, earthquakes of magnitude up to 4 occurred many times.
सभापति महोदया : प्लीज़, आप सब बैठ जाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
SHRI P.T. THOMAS : The gravity of the fear is increasing as the district is the site of many important dams including Mullaperiyar. The IITs of Roorkee and Delhi are of the opinion that earthquakes between the magnitudes of 5 and 6.5 can shake the area in the near future. It is estimated that more than 35 lakh people of Idukki in Kerala and the adjoining districts will be affected.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Those who want to associate with this, please send the slips.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.T. THOMAS : If anything happens to the Mullaperiyar Dam in the wake of earthquakes of higher intensity, if the Dam broke, not just water but rocks and debris too would be propelled downstream and the entire dam below Mullaperiyar will break and an unpredicted calamity will occur.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) …* SHRI P.T. THOMAS : I will request immediate attention of all concerned to this grave situation and intervene in this issue for the construction of a new dam in Mullaperiyar and to save the lives of millions of people. I am also requesting the Central Water Commission to bring down the water level up to 120 which is now 136… (Interruptions). If this SoS is not listened to, I would humbly state that a water bomb is waiting. Who can predict what would be the result? A day may come which nobody can prevent. Once again, I am requesting all concerned to act and take proper decisions which is the need of the hour. I am requesting the hon. Prime Minister’s immediate intervention… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Those who want to associate could send the slips at the Table.
The following hon. Members are allowed to associate themselves with the above matter raised by Shri P.T. Thomas.
Shri P.K. Biju, Shri A. Sampath, Shri M.B. Rajesh, Shri P.C. Chacko, Shri Kodikkunnil Suresh, Shri N. Peethambara Kurup, Shri Anto Antony, Shri Jose K. Mani and Shri K.P. Dhanapalan