Varattupallam dam in spate after 15 years, flood alert sounded

Erode: The Varattupallam dam in the district reached its full capacity of 33ft on Wednesday. The PWD officials said that the dam reached its full capacity after 15 years.
Situated under the foothills of Burgur hills, the water from the dam would be used for agriculture lands in the vicinity. Wild animals from the Sathyamangalam tiger reserve too quench their thirst from the water from the dam.
According to the PWD officials, the dam usually be filled in November. However, the dam started receiving water following continuous downpour in the recent spell. “The dam’s water level was less than 25ft in the beginning of May and started increasing steadily,” the official said adding that the water level marked 32.45ft on May 21.
“Following rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, inflow to the dam increased. The dam reached its full capacity of 33ft around 4am on Wednesday,” the official added. Considering the dam’s safety, the PWD officials were releasing 15 cubic feet per second (cusecs) into the excess water outlet.
Meanwhile, the Erode district administration has sounded flood alert across the downstream of the canal. tnn