Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Kerala Protests Tamil Nadu's Plan to Raise Mullaperiyar Water Level
Kerala and Tamil Nadu are two states in India that share a very old dam called Mullaperiyar.
The dam is more than 130 years old.
Kerala worries that the old dam might not be safe if it holds too much water.
Tamil Nadu wants to keep the water level higher so farmers have enough water.
The Supreme Court, the highest court in India, has said the water can go up to 142 feet.
Kerala says it will never let the water go higher than that.
Recently, Tamil Nadu said in its budget that it will try to raise the water level.
Kerala's water minister protested this strongly and said the state will officially complain.
Kerala is also checking what other legal options it has.
The two states' leaders may meet to talk about the issue.
Kerala Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph strongly protested Tamil Nadu's budget announcement to raise the Mullaperiyar dam water level.
Kerala said it will not allow the water level to be raised under any circumstances, citing safety concerns over the over-130-year-old dam.
Kerala reiterated that the Supreme Court-permitted maximum water level is 142 feet and alleged Tamil Nadu has not complied with the court's safety directions.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said he is seriously considering talks with Tamil Nadu counterpart C Joseph Vijay while official-level discussions continue.
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said the state will pursue raising the Mullai Periyar Dam water level to strengthen long-term water security and support farmers' welfare.
- Who
- Kerala Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph led the protest; Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay are involved, and Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N Marie Wilson made the budget announcement.
- What
- Kerala strongly protested Tamil Nadu's budget announcement to raise the Mullaperiyar dam water level beyond the Supreme Court-permitted 142 feet.
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, following Tamil Nadu's budget speech for the revised estimates of 2026-27.
- Where
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; the dispute concerns the Mullaperiyar dam shared by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Kerala cites safety concerns over the over-130-year-old dam and unmet Supreme Court directions, while Tamil Nadu says raising the level would strengthen long-term water security and support farmers' welfare.
Kerala's Position
Tamil Nadu's Position
Raising the dam water level
Kerala's Position
Kerala says the water level will not be allowed to be raised under any circumstances, citing the safety of the over-130-year-old dam.
Tamil Nadu's Position
Tamil Nadu's budget says the government will pursue raising the Mullai Periyar Dam water level to ensure long-term water security and support farmers' welfare.
Supreme Court directions
Kerala's Position
Kerala alleges Tamil Nadu has not complied with the Supreme Court's directions on dam safety and strengthening the Baby Dam, and that the SC-permitted 142-foot limit must not be exceeded.
Tamil Nadu's Position
Tamil Nadu frames the move as protecting the state's rightful share of inter-state river waters; the article does not include its response to the compliance allegations.
National interest
Kerala's Position
Kerala says the proposal is contrary to the Supreme Court's directions and is against both Kerala's interests and the national interest.
Tamil Nadu's Position
Tamil Nadu says pursuing the dam and related projects will strengthen long-term water security and support farmers' welfare.
- Dam
- Mullaperiyar Dam (Mullai Periyar Dam)
- Dam age
- Over 130 years
- Supreme Court-permitted maximum water level
- 142 feet
- Date of protest
- Wednesday, August 5
- Kerala Water Resources Minister
- Mons Joseph
- Tamil Nadu Finance Minister
- N Marie Wilson
- New Kerala IPoE nominee
- Ashutosh Dash, former Odisha Chief Engineer