Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Discharge from city reservoirs stepped up as precautionary measure

Staff Reporter

The increased outflow will not cause any damage downstream, say officials

CHENNAI: The discharge from reservoirs was stepped up on Sunday after heavy rain lashed Chennai and Tiruvallur districts.

Outflows of 4,500 cubic feet per second (cusecs) were released from Chembarambakkam tank into the Adyar river at 6 p.m. This is about more than four times the rate of discharge in the last few days. However, officials said that the rate of outflow would not cause damage downstream.

The discharge from Poondi reservoir into the Kosasthalai river was about 5,952 cusecs due to heavy inflows this morning.

"We were maintaining the level at 34.9 feet (full level: 35 feet) but as the weather is unpredictable we want to keep the level at 34.5 feet for dam safety," a PWD official explained.

A steady discharge would also prevent the need to suddenly release huge flows that may cause damage downstream.

Red Hills

The release from Red Hills was about 3,500 cusecs. This flow courses through the surplus canal along villages such as Samiyar Matam, Thandalkalani, Vadakarai, Vadaperumbakkam, Amulavoyal and Sadayarkuppam.

As these villages were affected when there was heavy discharge last time, the Tiruvallur district administration is keeping several relief centres ready in case of emergency.

Two tanks breached in Tiruvallur district on Sunday. The Vandikaranur eri in Cholavaram block and Musalin eri in Puvalambedu village breached, inundating surrounding habitations. Public Works Department officials said the breaches were being attended to.

Earlier on Saturday, Puliyur eri near Pakkam colony breached.

A police complaint has been filed against the suspects who are said to have caused the breach to access brickmaking sand on the lake bed.

"They could have broken the tank wall to drain water from the brick kiln chambers there," an official said.

Heavy downpour

Heavy showers hit the city at intervals throughout the day. From 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Sunday, Nungambakkam received 1.3 cm of rainfall and Meenambakkam 1.2 cm. Several roads, especially in the suburbs, were waterlogged for the fourth time this season.

Chennai Corporation Commissioner M.P. Vijayakumar said officials were geared up to provide relief.

Boats have also been stationed at the Ripon building as a contingency measure for rescuing people from the inundated areas.

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