Storage in Bhavani Sagar Dam has risen to 14.8 tmc. infusing hope for second crop among farmers in the three ayacuts: Lower Bhavani Project, Thadapalli-Arakankottai, and Kalingarayan.
On Sunday morning, the inflow was 2,287 cusecs and the discharge of 1,000 was made into the LBP canal. The supply has to be maintained in the canal till this month-end for completion of the first-cropping season.
Depending on the daily pattern of rainfall, the Public Works Department has been conserving water by regulating flow into the river that feeds the Kodiveri Dam from where water is released into Thadapalli-Arakankottai canals.
There is no cause for apprehension over water availability for the second crop cultivation in all the three ayacuts, PWD sources said.
So far, 32 tmc has been utilised for first crop cultivation in the three ayacuts, though the storage was 19 tmc when water release began.
Likewise, there will be more accrual from the North-East monsoon to augment the existing 14.8 tmc water for ensuring supply for the next crop, the sources said.
Based on the calculations made utilising the statistics of availability and accrual during December for the last five years, and the scope for sourcing water from the hydel reservoirs in The Nilgiris, where the rainfall has been heavy, to overcome deficit situation, the PWD has already sent a proposal to the government seeking nod for water release for second crop in the three ayacuts, sources added.
