Erosion of a bund at the Uyyakondan Canal, which was noticed by farmers on Friday at Somarasampettai, has forced the Public Works Department officials to suspend supply of water in the canal.
As the depth of the erosion was 10 meter in length and 2 meter in width, the PWD authorities began placing sand bags to reinforce the bund and to prevent further erosion.
About 400 cusecs of water was flowing in the canal when the erosion occurred, sources said.
The rain over the past few days is said to have caused the erosion and as there was fear that the erosion may increase, the authorities immediately suspended water release into the Uyyakondan canal.
T. P. Ganesan, Executive Engineer, Water Resources Department, PWD, Tiruchi, told The Hindu that nearly 1,000 sand bags have been placed and 4,000 more sand bags have been sent to the spot.
“The work will be completed on Sunday and water supply for irrigation will resume once the strengthening work is over,” he said.
The Executive Engineer said instruction have been given to the field staff to step up patrolling along the rivers and irrigation canals to detect vulnerable spots due to continuous rain.
