Following the discharge of about 90,000 cusecs of water by Karnataka from its dams, the authorities in Salem and Dharmapuri districts on Sunday issued a flood warning to people residing in low-level areas along the banks of the Cauvery at Biligundlu, the entry point into Tamil Nadu.
The Karnataka government had released water from the Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar reservoirs. Already, more than 45,000 cusecs of water is being realised at Biligundlu, Salem Collector Rohini R. Bhajibhakare said in a statement. The realisation is expected to be between 80,000 and 90,000 cusecs on Monday morning.
The Collector urged those living in low-lying areas on the banks in the Mettur and Edappadi blocks in the district to move to higher ground, along with their belongings. People have been advised not to enter the river, either for taking bath or for washing clothes.
The Collector said the officials of the Revenue Department and the Public Works Department (PWD) had taken all precautionary measures and had alerted people residing in villages on the flood situation through tom-tom.
Officials keep vigil
PWD officials are camping at the Mettur dam site to keep a close watch on the inflow and the rise in the water level in the dam. Revenue officials are keeping vigil from the control room at the Collectorate.
People can contact the toll-free number 1077 round the clock for immediate assistance, a press release said.
The level in the dam rose by about four feet in the last 24 hours that ended 8 a.m. on Sunday. It was 84.39 ft on Sunday evening, as against its full level of 120 ft. The inflow was 44,711 cusecs and the discharge for meeting the drinking water needs of delta districts is 1,000 cusecs.
Dharmapuri Collector S. Malarvizhi also issued a flood warning. The district administration has taken all precautionary measures to ensure the safety of people living on the banks of the Cauvery.
