Even as Public Works Department officials have increased the discharge from Mullaperiyar dam to 400 cusecs from 300 cusecs to improve storage level in Vaigai dam, very limited quantum of water is being released through supply channels to raise seedlings.
A large quantum of water is being let into Periyar river. Already, water was not released into some channels owing to construction of concrete flooring in them. In view of the precarious situation in Vaigai dam, the officials have reportedly closed a majority of the channels in Cumbum valley.
With no rain in the catchment areas and Vaigai dam site, Periyar dam was the only source for Vaigai dam to improve its storage level. Conducting the entire discharge to Vaigai dam would certainly improve its level to meet the drinking water needs of southern districts, including Madurai city, till the rainy season.
Farmers in Chinnamanur and tail-end areas have not yet received water. The situation will improve only after considerable rise in Vaigai dam level, according to sources.
Illegal tapping of water was rampant along Periyar river.
Illegal-tapping
Even farmers in distant places used huge underground pipelines to draw water from the river to irrigate horticulture crops with the tacit support of some officials and local politicians. Large-scale illegal tapping affected both ayacutdhars and efforts taken by officials to improve storage in Vaigai dam, the sources said.
