For the third straight day on Tuesday, rain pounded Siruvani catchment areas. This has resulted in a substantial increase in water level in the Siruvani Reservoir, a source of water supply for the city.
Data available with the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board and Coimbatore Corporation showed that in the 24 hours that ended 8 a.m. Wednesday, the catchment had received 208 mm – a double century in the last three days. On Monday, the catchment had received 103 mm and on Sunday, the catchment had recorded 255 mm.
The result of the heavy rainfall on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday was that the water level jumped from 21.06 feet as of Saturday to 28.21 feet on Wednesday morning. The full reservoir level is 49.50 feet. The impact of the substantial rise in water level also resulted in the Board stepping up the quantity of water supplied to the city to 60 MLD (million litres a day) .
Similarly, Pilloor reservoir catchment also received good rain. As of Monday 9 p.m., the inflow went up to 8,000 cusecs. The Tangedco that had gauged the inflow at 6,000 cusecs had issued a flood alert through the district administration to those living along River Bhavani banks.
But as the inflow increased, Tangedco increased the outflow as well. By Wednesday 9 a.m. the inflow had gone up to 20,000 cusecs, forcing Tangedco to discharge a similar quantity to maintain the water level at 97 feet in the Reservoir, whose full reservoir level is 100 feet.
As of Wednesday evening, the outflow was around 16,000 cusecs, said Revenue Department sources in Mettupalayam.
Following the increased outflow into River Bhavani, the Department officials went around villages cautioning residents to not venture into the river.
As of Wednesday morning, the rainfall recorded in various places in the district was as follows – Annur – 2mm, Coimbatore Airport – 6.9mm, Mettupalayam – 10mm, Cincona – 98mm, Chinna Kallar – 107mm, Valparai PAP areas – 64mm, Valparai Taluk – 62mm, Sholayar – 64mm, Aliyar – 15.6mm, Sulur – 11.7mm, Pollachi – 25mm, Coimbatore South – 10.1mm, Periyanaickenpalayam – 3mm and TNAU – 17mm.