The first flood warning for the five districts downstream Vaigai Dam was issued at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, when the water level in the reservoir touched 66 feet (full level is 71 feet).
The level continued to rise steadily with an inflow of 4,553 cusecs. The Public Works Department officials began discharge of 1,260 cusecs from the dam and water for irrigation was diverted through the Periyar Main Canal and Tirumangalam Main Canal.
The second warning would be issued when the level touches 68.5 feet.
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Excess water from the dam would be discharged into the river on issue of the third and final warning as and when the level touches 69 feet. With the northeast monsoon having just begun and more rains being forecasted, the PWD officials will have to keep a buffer of two feet in the dam so as to manage sudden inflow in the event of a cloudburst.
Meanwhile, water level in the Periyar dam was also on the rise and it stood at 126 feet (full level 136 feet).
There was an inflow of 4,079 cusecs and discharge from the dam, which was reduced to 438 cusecs in the morning was stopped later, to take up cleaning work of the trash track.
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Rainfall
Tekkady recorded the highest rainfall of 99 mm in the last 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on Wednesday.
It was followed by Peranai 55, Marudhanadi 26, Shanmuganadi and Andipatti 23 mm each, Periyar Dam 17.6, Manjalar Dam 15, Kodaikanal 14.2, Madurai 10.6, Gudalur 9, Uthamapalayam and Sittampatti 8 mm each, Sothuparai Dam 6, Idayapatti 5, Sathayar Dam 4, Mettupatti 3.6, Veerapandi, Vaigai Dam and Pulipatti 3 mm each and Kallandiri 1 mm.