A long-cherished dream of farmers in southern districts became a reality on Friday as water level in the Mullaperiyar dam touched 140 feet, thanks to incessant showers in catchments and spurt in inflow. If the rain continues for two more days, the storage would reach 142 feet, the level permitted by the Supreme Court.
The first flood warning was issued to wayside villages in Kerala and Tamil Nadu as discharge may increase at any time with the level going up steadily towards 142 feet. Monitoring of inflow, storage level and other parameters on hourly basis commenced as per the direction of the Supervisory Committee. Farmers in Cumbum Valley celebrated the occasion by distributing sweets in Cumbum and Uthamaplayam. Comfortable storage in the Mullaperiyar dam would not only benefit farmers but also prevent migration of farm workers to Tirupur and Kerala. It would benefit rain-fed areas in southern districts and enhance drinking water availability, farmers said.
The Cumbum Valley farmers have planned a mega celebration at Lower Camp, by inviting farmers in five southern districts, when the level touches 142 feet.
Discharge doubled
Meanwhile, PWD officials doubled the quantum of discharge to 900 cusecs in the evening from 456 cusecs, in order to avoid any last-minute trouble, if there was a spurt in inflow and sharp rise in storage. Gradual increase in discharge will prevent flood in Mullaperiyar River. “We could draw a maximum of 2,000 cusecs and the excess water would be drained through 13 vents,” officials said.
The stepped-up discharge would improve storage in the Vaigai dam.
