Following heavy rain in the Pilloor catchment in Kerala and the Nilgiris district and the resultant heavy inflow into the Pilloor reservoir, the authorities in charge of the reservoir opened the shutters on Tuesday evening.
According to sources, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco), which manages the reservoir, opened four shutters by 3.15 p.m. to let out 4,000 cusecs of water. At the time of releasing the water, the sources said that the inflow into the reservoir was around 7,000 cusecs and the water level had touched 98 feet. The full reservoir level was 100 feet.
Even as the Tangedco officials released water into River Bhavani, the Revenue Department officials in Mettupalayam went about alerting residents to move to safe places. The Department sources said that they had alerted residents in Nellithurai, Thekkampatty, Chikkadasampalayam, Sirumugai and a couple of other places.
The officials also availed themselves of the services of the Mettupalayam police, who used Highway Patrol vehicles and public address systems to caution residents.
The Revenue Department officials also alerted the Fire and Rescue Services personnel, who were asked to be in a state of alert.
Sources in the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board said that the Pilloor I scheme would not be affected with the rise in water level. Corporation sources also said that the civic body’s Pilloor II scheme would also not be affected.