CUMBUM
With heavy downpour in the catchments and huge inflow, water level in Periyar dam rose by three-and-a-half feet in the last 24 hours, cheering farmers in Cumbum valley. Water level has gone up up by over eight feet in the last four days.
Heavy rain also increased inflow to the dam to 9,479 cusecs from 7,565 cusecs.
To improve storage in Vaigai dam, the Public Works Department officials have stepped up discharge from the dam to 1,400 cusecs from 1,150 cusecs. Water level in Periyar dam touched 124.7 feet on Tuesday which was 121 feet on Monday. Storage was 3,559 mcft. However, rainfall slumped to 85.8 mm in Periyar dam. Thekkadi recorded 52.4 mm.
Periyar river was in spate owing to heavy discharge from the dam for the past two days. Water was touching both the banks of the river. People residing near the wayside villages were advised to move to high-ridge areas.
After 48 hours, Vaigai dam has received an inflow of 353 cusecs. Water level was increasing marginally in Vaigai dam. Level rose to 36.25 feet.
Storage level crossed its total capacity of 126.11 feet in Sothuparai dam and the entire inflow of 3 cusecs was discharged to river. Water level stood 41.8 feet at Manjalar dam and 26.25 feet in Shanmuga River dam. Flow in Suruli falls was also heavy since morning.
The PWD officials had already sent a proposal to the government to release water from Periyar dam for irrigation of first crop in the double-cropping area in Cumbum valley in Theni district as the storage has reached its comfortable position.
Meanwhile, in Madurai, representatives of farmers, led by Periyar Single Crop Area Farmer’s Association, president, M. Murugan, on Tuesday approached the Public Works Department officials seeking early release of water for irrigating the first crop of double-cropping area in Madurai and Dindigul districts.
Mr. Murugan said that the Periyar credit in both Periyar and Vaigai dams had reached the mandatory 4000 mcft mark on Tuesday that enables release of water for the first crop of the double-cropping area comprising 45,000 acres.
“This is the first time in the last five years that the water position is conducive for release for irrigation for the first crop in June itself,” he added.
The farmers had a long meeting with the Executive Engineer, Periyar-Vaigai Basin Circle, T. Subramanian.
“Farmers of single crop area in Melur made a pointed demand that water should not be released to the extension areas by bypassing the priority given to regular areas under the compendium of rules. Last year, the officials released water to extension areas in Cumbum valley triggering a major protest by farmers. In fact, even the double cropping area suffered water shortage because of their decision,” he said.
The Executive Engineer said that though Periyar credit had reached 4,000 mcft, Vaigai dam had only 550 mcft of Periyar credit.
“We want to build the storage up to 2,000 mcft in Vaigai dam to ensure assured irrigation for the first 45 days,” Mr. Subramanian said.
The proposal for release of water for the first crop would be sent to the Government by June-end, he added.