Inflow into the Vaigai dam has been improving slowly, thanks to moderate to heavy showers in Vaigai dam catchments and massive discharge from Periyar dam.
Almost 80 per cent of total discharge from Periyar dam has been reaching Vaigai dam. Flow in Kottakudi and Vagai Rivers was also good owing to moderate showers in some parts of the district last evening.
Despite sharp slump in inflow into Periyar dam, the Public Works engineers have been withdrawing 1,400 cusecs of water from the dam for the past four days to improve storage in Vaigai dam and to ensure supply of water for irrigating the single crop in double cropping area in Dindigul and Madurai districts till harvest. They did not pay much importance to raise the Periyar dam level to 142 feet.
However, inflow into Periyar dam dwindled further to 51 cusecs owing to poor rainfall in the catchments and at the dam site. Water level fell to 130.8 feet in Periyar dam. Vaigai dam has 44.8 foot of water. It has been receiving 1,323 cusecs and the discharge stood at 960 cusecs.
Farmers in rainfed areas were happy over sudden showers in certain pockets because it would be useful to raise pulses and oil seeds, the prime crops in rainfed areas. This rain will also recharge rural tanks and wells, helping cattle and goat rearers. Long-term crops like banana and sugarcane and horticulture crops will also be protected, farmers added.
Rainfall recorded at various places at 8 a.m. (in mm) in Theni: Thekkadi 0.8, Veerapandi 16, Vaigai dam 37.1, Gudalur 7.5 and Uthamapalayam 12. In Dindigul district, Dindigul 21.5, Kodaikanal 38.9, Nilakottai 60.4, Palani 17, Vedasandur 30.30, Chatrapatti 19, Vedasandur Tobacco Research Station 32.2, Kodaikanal boat club 23.75 and Kamatchipuram 93.5 mm.
