MADURAI
Surplus water from Vaigai dam in Theni district was released on Sunday morning after the level in the reservoir reached 69 feet (the maximum storage level is 71 ft) for the second time within two months. In August, flood water from the dam had to be released.
This is the first time in 38 years that the dam has been surplussing in October. Last time, in 1981 the dam surplussed in the same month. Under normal monsoon season, the water level in the dam reaches 69 ft only in November, Public Works Department Executive Engineer T. Subramanian said.
When the level reached 69 ft at 5 a.m. on Sunday, water was drained through the seven shutters, he added.
Of the 4,260 cusecs discharged from the dam, 1,700 cusecs of water is being released for irrigation through Periyar Main Canal for the first crop in double-crop area and the single crop areas in Madurai, Dindigul and Sivaganga districts. The remaining quantity is being discharged into Vaigai river. The water would be used to benefit Old Vaigai Ayacut and to meet the drinking water needs of Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts.
Already, 180 of the 210 system tanks in Madurai and Dindigul districts have got water to their full capacity.
Meanwhile, water level in Manjalar dam is steadily increasing. It stood at 53.75 ft against the full capacity of 57 ft on Sunday morning with an inflow of 183 cusecs. A PWD official said a government order had been issued to release water from the dam on October 24.
Sothuparai dam, which was opened on October 14, continued to release surplus water with the water level remaining at its full capacity of 126 ft on Sunday.