The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Showers in Theni

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Showers in Theni

Staff Reporter

Level remains static in Periyar, Vaigai dams

THENI: Moderate showers in Theni and nearby areas brought respite to people in urban and rural areas. The district has been receiving intermittent showers for the past one week.

However, water level remained static in Periyar and Vaigai dams.

Entire inflow of 100 cusecs has been discharged into the Mullai Periyar river for Chithirai festival of Sri Gowmariamman Temple at Veerapandi.

Temperature fell down sharply owing to cool breeze followed by sudden rain in the evening.

Routine life was paralysed in Theni.

Worst affected were the pilgrims visiting Sri Gowmariamman temple.

With sufficient storage level in Periyar dam, chances of releasing water for irrigation of the first crop in double cropping area in the Cumbum valley on June 1 is very bright.

Public Works Department officials stated that water could be released for irrigation if the storage level stood at 100 feet.

But the dam has 133 feet of water as on Monday. Moreover, the dam has been receiving 100 cusecs for the five four days.

But farmers had appealed to the State Government to advance the release by a week or 10 days to avoid crop damage at harvesting stage.

Such measure would help them prepare the field for cultivation, they said.

The summer shower was a great boon to farmers in rain-fed areas.

Sporadic rain was very useful to maize, horticulture crops and other long-term crops like coconut, said farmers.

Water level in Vaigai dam stood at 70.70 feet.

Inflow into the dam was 113 cusecs and discharge from the dam 41 cusecs for drinking water purpose to Madurai city.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu