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Level in Periyar dam touches 134 feet

K. Raju

Public Works Department officials yet to issue first flood warning

A view of Periyar Dam. — FILE PICTURE

THENI: Even as the water level crossed the first danger mark of 134 feet in the Periyar dam on Sunday evening, the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department officials have neither issued the first flood warning nor downed the shutters to increase storage level to 142 feet in the dam.

The PWD officials are waiting for instructions from the Government to act in this connection.

PWD sources said engineers were trying to draw maximum quantum of water from the dam and store it in Vaigai dam. Of the total 1,869 cusecs of water discharged from the dam, 600 cusecs of water was being discharged through four pipes and rest through vents. But the inflow into the dam was 3,479 cusecs, almost double the quantum of total discharge. Normally, PWD officials would issue the first flood warning when the level touches 134 feet and the second warning at 135 feet and the third and final warning at 136 feet.

Already, officials released 2,350 cusecs of water through vents two days ago as a trial measure to assess the impact of maximum discharge from the dam such as soil erosion.

Meanwhile, residents in all villages situated along Mullai Periyar River in Theni district were cautioned about possible flood.

Revenue officials visited the villages on the banks and advised people to move to safer areas. With a heavy discharge from Periyar dam, the level in the Vaigai dam rose to 66.73 feet. with an inflow of 3,306 cusecs and a discharge of 1,841 cusecs. Storage in the Periyar was 5,610 mcft and Vaigai at 5,024 mcft.

Rainfall

The chief amount of rainfall (in mm) recorded at various places in the district: Periyar - 2, Thekkadi - 19, Goodalur - 3, Uthamapalayam - 10, Shanmuganadhi - 10, Veerapandi - 14 and Vaigai dam - 15.

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