TIRUNELVELI
The Western Ghats housing the catchment areas of all 11 dams in the district were once again blessed with significant rainfall on Friday night to jack up water level in the dams considerably, much to the jubilation of farmers and the water managers here.
Even as the hopes of early onset of northeast monsoon as predicted by the Indian Meteorological department got belied, the low pressure persisting over the Bay of Bengal had rekindled the hopes in the southern districts with a significant rainfall in the areas close to the Western Ghats. While most of the areas far away from the hilly region had only lesser rainfall, the Western Ghats enjoyed the excellent precipitation.
The catchment area of Manimuthar dam, which was desperately waiting to experience good precipitation over the past two years, received 286 mm rainfall, the highest in the State, on Friday night to bring a significant influx of 2,877 cusecs of water. Consequently, water level in the largest dam of the district rose from 86.10 feet to 89.40 feet in 24 hours ended on 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Similarly, the catchment area of Papanasam dam, the second largest reservoir of the district, too got good rainfall of 160 mm to take water level from 99.05 feet to 105.60 feet on Saturday morning, thanks to the influx of 4,748 cusecs of water.
As the catchment areas of Manimuthar dam experienced heavy rainfall, the Pachchaiyar also swelled to cause flooding in Uppaar and Nangunerian channels. When the flood submerged the Chidambarapuram bridge, bus service was hit and Chidambarapuram, Moongiladi, Manjuvilai, Keezhapaththai and Karuvelankulam were marooned.
The flood in Pachchaiyar breached the bunds along the Thamizhaakurichi check-dam and the water could not be diverted to the Thamizhaakurichi tank via the channel. Now, the precious water is going waste as no step was taken by the officials to plug the huge breach.
Bathing was banned in all waterfalls at Courtallam viz. Main Falls, Five Falls and the Old Courtallam Waterfalls following floods.
The only area, which is far away from the Western Ghats to receive considerable rainfall, was Radhapuram that experienced 40 mm rainfall on Friday night.
As the sky remained overcast and it was drizzling in the morning, it was expected that there would be considerable rainfall either in the afternoon or in the evening. However, the expectations were belied as sun came out in the forenoon itself.
Rainfall in the district (in mm): Manimuthar dam – 286, Papanasam dam – 160, Cheranmahadevi – 60, Nanguneri – 57, Shencottai and Radhapuram – 40, Sankarankovil – 32, Ambasamudram – 31, Tenkasi – 22 Palayamkottai, - 11.20, Aayikudi – 10, Tirunelveli – 9.60 and Sivagiri – 9.
Water level in dams (in feet; maximum capacity in brackets): Papanasam – 105.60 (143), Servalar – 112.01 (156), Manimuthar – 89.40 (118), Gadana – 67.80 (85), Ramanadhi – 62 (84), Karuppanadhi – 69.23 (72), Gundar – 36 (36), Vadakku Pachchaiyar – 21.50 (50), Kodumudiyar – 33 (52.50), Nambiyar – 22.53 (23), Adavinainar – 108.75 (132).
The neighbouring Kanniyakumari district also witnessed good widespread rainfall on Friday night.
Rainfall in the district (in mm): Boothapandi – 21, Chittar I Dam – 29, Kaliyal – 12, Kannimar – 61, Kottaaram – 32, Kuzhithurai – 36, Mayilaadi – 23, Nagercoil – 28, Petchipaarai Dam – 31, Perunchaani Dam – 45, Puthen Dam – 46, Chittar II Dam – 30, Surulacode – 51, Thuckalay – 51, Colachel – 48, Eraniel – 44, Balamore – 55, Mambazhathuraiyar Dam – 32, Aralvaimozhi – 20, Kozhiporevilai – 70, Adayamadai – 36, Kurunthancode – 47, Mullankinaavilai – 68 and Aanaikidangu – 36.