Overview
- Tamil Nadu announced in its 2026–27 budget that it will pursue raising the Mullaperiyar reservoir to strengthen long-term water supply for irrigation and drinking needs.
- Kerala immediately lodged a formal protest, convened emergency irrigation meetings and said it will not permit any increase in the reservoir level.
- Kerala has nominated former Odisha chief engineer Ashutosh Dash to the Independent Panel of Experts, a nomination the Central Water Commission recognised.
- The dispute rests on earlier Supreme Court orders that permit operation up to 142 feet while noting the dam’s original 152‑foot design, and Kerala says Tamil Nadu has not fully followed court safety directions including strengthening the baby dam.
- No change in the reservoir level has been reported and the next steps are technical review by expert bodies, possible CM-level talks and likely legal challenges that will determine whether Tamil Nadu can raise the water level.