Storage in Vaigai dam continues to be static at 66.5 feet
THENI: Despite the steady increase in the inflow into Periyar dam, water level has remained at 138 feet, two feet above permissible level, thanks to automatic draining of huge quantum of water through 13-vent spillway. Draining quantum shot up to 3,165 cusecs on Tuesday from 2,500 cusecs on Monday. (Excess water drained through spillway would reach Idukki dam.)
But Public Works Department officials could draw only 1,937 cusecs through Iraichal Bridge and the three giant pipes. Storage in the dam was 6,622 mcft.
Representatives of various farmers association appealed to the Government to make some efforts to raise the dam level to 142 feet as per the directions of the Supreme Court.
The level did not rise much in Vaigai dam as storage level stood at 66.5 feet. Heavy inflow and equal quantum of discharge has kept the level static. Discharge for irrigation in Madurai and Dindigul districts has been stepped up to 3,052 cusecs.
Poor water quality
Even as Theni municipality has been reeling under acute water crisis for the past one week, meagre water supplied to the town was of poor quality. Residents in several wards complained that the water was muddy.
At present, water was being supplied after simple purification process, Municipal officials added. “We did not get even this water once in a week,” said residents.
The supply of poor quality water has bumped up sale of packaged drinking water in Theni town manifold.
The Theni Municipality needed 9.45 MLD (million litres a day) to maintain supply to a population of over 85,000.
Pumps at Mullai Periyar River, major source of drinking water to the Municipality, near Arappadithevanpatti, have been submerged in river water for a long time.
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