With the intensification of the north-east monsoon that has brought copious rains for the past couple of days, reservoirs, lakes, tanks and ponds in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts are fast filling up.
The Gedilam that remained a dry sandy course till a few days ago is now carrying substantial quantum of water. The check-dam built across the Gedilam at Thirupadiripuliyur is overflowing, even after all its four sluices are opened. The storage level in Veeranam tank has reached 44.7 ft, against the maximum level of 47.5 ft. Owing to good rains in the catchment areas the Vadavar, a major feeder canal, is now draining 1,500 cusecs of water into the Veeranam tank. According to Public Works Department sources three lakes in Panruti block are already full; 75 lakes elsewhere in Cuddalore district are full to 50 per cent of the capacity and 300 lakes to 25 per cent capacity.
Villupuram district recorded an aggregate rainfall of 476 mm, about nine times of average rainfall of 53 mm, on Sunday. The storage level in the Gomukhi dam has touched 40.5 ft against the maximum level of 46 ft. With steady inflow the Veedur dam level reached 18 ft (32 ft) and that of the Manimuktha dam level attained 19.5 ft (36 ft). Villupuram taluk received heavy rainfall of 127 mm, followed by Thirukkoilur – 90 mm, Sankarapuram – 42 mm, Ginjee – 39 mm, Tindivanam – 37 mm, Kallakurichi – 24 mm and Marakkanam – 21 mm.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rural Industries Minister P. Mohan handed over a cheque for Rs. 2.50 lakh as compensation to Dhanakoti, whose husband Govindan was struck dead by lightning at Ninnaiyur near Kallakurichi on Saturday. The amount was released from the Natural Disaster Relief Fund. At Ambedkar Nagar in Siruvallur panchayat the Minister consoled a family whose house collapsed. The Minister also inspected certain water logged places and directed the officials to take immediate steps to evict water.
At Cuddalore, Environment Minister M.C. Sampath gave away monetary compensation to Gothandaraman whose son Parthasarathi (7) died in a wall collapse. The Minister visited Vannarapalayam road junction and instructed the officials to clear water from there.