Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Efforts to fill empty irrigation tanks

MADURAI: With the first flood warning issued for the region downstream Vaigai dam, the Public Works Department is confident of making good use of water by filling the empty irrigation tanks as and when the reservoir surpluses.

The warning was issued at 4 p.m. when it touched 66 feet. The second warning would be issued when the level reaches 68.5 feet. Water would be released on issuing the third and final warning as and when the level touches 69 feet.

PWD Executive Engineer S. Vijayakumar said that rainwater collected from downstream the Vaigai dam was already flowing in the Vaigai river (1,900 cusecs as recorded at Peranai).

Stating that the tanks in the system were having water not even 50 per cent of their capacity, he said, “We will not waste any water, but divert them into the tanks. Even the Ramanathapuram Big Tank did not have considerable storage,” he said.

Meanwhile, water level in the Periyar dam is steadily going up and stood at 129.90 feet (136 feet maximum permissible level) with an inflow of 11,788 cusecs and discharge of 1,088 cusecs at 6 a.m. on Monday. The level further went up to 130.5 feet at 4 p.m.

The inflow to the Vaigai dam, which was 16,095 cusecs at 6 a.m., receded to 6,307 cusecs at 4 p.m. The discharge was 1,869 cusecs. The combined Periyar credit stood at 6,838 mcft in the morning.

Manjalar dam recorded 54 mm of rainfall followed by Sothuparai dam 52, Marudhanadi 50, Vaigai dam 44, Melur 25, Tekkadi 17.2, Sittampatti 16.4, Kallandiri 16, Mettupatti 14, Pulipatti 13, Idayapatti 12, Gudalur 9.5, Andipatti 9, Madurai and Veerapandi 8 mm each, Sattaiyar dam 7, Periyar dam 4.8, Uthamapalayam 3.2 and Shanmuganadi 1 mm.

The Corporation has made arrangements to pump out rainwater stagnating in low-lying areas. After a discussion with officials, Corporation Commissioner S. Sebastine said that the four zonal offices would function round-the-clock. People can contact the Corporation for assistance during floods over 2530521. Efforts were underway to remove encroachments on both sides of Vaigai river and desilt Kiruthumal, Chinthamani, Avaniyapuram, Sottathatti, B.B. Kulam and Panaiyur channels.

Blockades under the causeways across the Vaigai river were being removed to ensure free flow of water. Twenty Corporation schools and many marriage halls had been kept ready to accommodate people who may get affected in the flood. Medical teams had been formed and vaccine would be administered to prevent spread of cholera. People have been advised to drink boiled water.

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