Heavy flow of water through the damaged portion of a regulator and the formation of sand shoals on the upper reaches at Upper Anicut has complicated restoration work across the Coleroon.
The Water Resources Department of the Public Works Department began the erection of a ring bund using sand bags last Thursday to arrest the flow of water into the Coleroon through the damaged portion of the regulator. It has employed about 800 workers and deployed floating excavators. Motorised boats have been pressed into service to ferry material.
A massive ring bund is being erected for about 260 meters from the right bank to the 19th pier across the Coleroon.
According to a senior official, until Wednesday, the bund was formed for a length of about 50 meters from both ends. However, work on formation of a bund across the washed away portion, considered crucial, is yet to begin, mainly due to heavy flow of water and strong currents.
A senior official told The Hindu that despite efforts to divert water in the Cauvery, such as expediting restoration work, they could not control the flow of water in the Coleroon due to the natural water course. The accumulation of sand on the upper side of the Mukkombu barrage across the Cauvery had slowed the flow in the river. Consequently, more water was flowing towards the Coleroon.