THENI
Water was released from Manjalar and Sothuparai dams for irrigation of thousands of acres of land in Theni and Dindigul districts on Sunday.
The water released from Manjalar dam will benefit 5,259 acres – 2,111 acres in Dindigul district and 3,148 acres in Theni district.
Releasing the water from Manjalar dam near Devadhanapatti, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said the water would be released for the next 152 days.
The quantum of release would be 240 cusecs till October 19, 60 cusecs for 57 days (from October 20 to December 15), 50 cusecs for 47 days (from Dec. 16 to January 31, 2018) and 45 cusecs for 43 days (from February 1 to March 15) to irrigate old ayacut areas. A total of 3,386 acres under old aycaut would benefit, he added.
Similarly, 40 cusecs would be released for 47 days (till November 30), 30 cusecs for 90 days (from December 1 to February 28, 2018) and 20 cusecs for 15 days (from March 1 to March 15) for new ayacut areas. A total of 1,873 acres under new aycaut would benefit.
Water level stood at 55 feet in Manjalar dam. The level in the dam increased fast owing to sharp showers on Kodaikanal hills. The storage was 435.32 mcft on Sunday.
Releasing water from Sothuparai dam in Theni district, Mr. Panneerselvam said 30 cusecs of water would be released continuously for 28 days. A total of 2,865 acres – 1,825 acres under old ayacut and 1,040 acres under new ayacut areas – would benefit, he added.
Collector N. Venkatachalam, who accompanied him, appealed to farmers to use water judiciously and raise short-term crops for better yield. Earlier, Mr. Panneerselvam inaugurated district sports meet at Theni District Sports Complex. He also took part in special pujas held at Sri Moongilanai Temple in Devadhanapatti.