The recent rainfall has helped in improving the water levels in the three major reservoirs and a handful of tanks in Vellore district. The three tanks maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD) have reached their full storage capacity following rains in the last one week.
The rising water levels are a reason to cheer as PWD officials say it will help in recharging the water table. In fact, the situation was bleak just a few months ago as water level in the three reservoirs dipped, with one of them drying up.
In June end, Rajathoppu - one of the three reservoirs in the district - had completely dried up, while water levels in the two other – Mordhana Dam and Andiappanur Odai – decreased steadily. However, the recent rains have boosted water levels in the reservoirs, and a few tanks. “The level has improved following rains in the last one week,” an official said.
According to data available with the PWD, as on Friday, Mordhana Dam has 60.48 mcft of water as against its total storage capacity of 261.36 mcft. The inflow was 30.42 cusecs. The area recorded a rainfall of three mm on the day.
The water level has just started to rise at Rajathoppu. Of its total capacity of 20.52 mcft, it had 2.28 mcft of water. The inflow was 9.26 cusecs, and it recorded a rainfall of 55.80 mm.
Andiappanur Odai has 55.88 mcft of water as against its total capacity of 112.20 mcft. The inflow was 17.22 cusecs of water.
Of the 519 tanks maintained by the PWD across the district, three have reached the full storage capacity – Kathalampattu tank in Vellore taluk, Peruvalayam and Eralancheri tanks in Nemili taluk, officials said.
Periya Eri in Arakkonam taluk has 75% water, while Arunkundram Periya Eri in Walajah taluk had reached 50% of its storage capacity. The remaining tanks had water below 50% of the capacity. The official noted they now hope that the northeast monsoon brings in copious rains as it could help in improving the water level further.