Torrential showers that rocked Western Ghats increased the inflow sharply into Periyar dam and water level rose by six feet in just four days. Now, PWD officials stepped up discharge not only to irrigate first crop in double cropping area of Cumbum valley but also to improve storage level in Vaigai dam for irrigation of 2.05 lakh acres of land in Madurai and other southern districts.
Water level at Periyar dam rose to 127 feet. Discharge shot up to 1,300 cusecs from 400 cusecs in Periyar dam. Inflow into the dam increased to whopping 4,460 cusecs. Storage was 3,985 mcft.
Farmers in Cumbum valley were jubilant over sharp increase in storage level.
Expecting good rain this monsoon, the PWD officials planned to draw maximum quantum of water from Periyar dam to improve storage level in water bodies in southern districts.
With recent intermittent showers in different parts of the district, water requirement will not be much for farmers in the valley now. Evaporation and seepage into river bed too will be very low as continuous rain and good flow in Periyar River have kept the bed wet and keep the atmosphere cool. Improving storage Vaigai dam at this stage will be easy for PWD officials.
But rampant illegal tapping of water from Periyar river at various points between Theni and Goodalur had reduced the quantum of water reaching Vaigai dam. Farmers having perennial and annual crops and horticulture crops illegally withdrew water directly from the river to protect the standing crops.
Still, Vaigai dam has been receiving sizable quantum of water. Inflow into the dam was 783 cusecs. Water level rose to 45.08 feet in Vaigai dam. Storage was 1,410 mcft.
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