Front Page   

First flood warning issued in Vaigai

MADURAI: The Public Works Department has issued the first flood warning to five districts downstream the Vaigai dam as water level is fast nearing the full reservoir level.

The first warning was issued at 3.30 p.m. on Friday as and when the level touched 66 feet.

With a huge inflow of 10,000 cusecs recorded at the dam, the second warning is likely on Saturday when the level reaches 68.5 feet.

This is the first time since 1984 that the Vaigai dam is facing a flood-like situation during March.

“The dam had surplussed from March 7 to April 30 then. A total of 21,000 cusecs was released on March 8 (1984) alone,” an engineer said.

The first flood warning is being issued for the third time in the last five months.

Though the dam did not surplus in November 2007, excess water was released in December 2007, he added.

People living along the banks of the Vaigai in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts have been asked to move to safety.

In the event of more flow into the dam, water would be released through the river.

“We will not release it for the system tanks, since it is not irrigation season,” he added.

The officials are planning to store water to the maximum level.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Tibetan protesters enter Chinese embassy compound
BJP ready for tie-up with AIADMK
Pawar: UPA should fight elections collectively
China’s mid-air terror trail leads to Pakistan
Import duty exempted for rice
Rahul meets Manmohan
China’s charges make no sense: Pelosi
It’s interference in our internal affairs, says Chinese envoy
Nadal solves the Blake puzzle
Tendulkar suggested Dhoni’s name, says Pawar
Naipaul admits “cruelty” to his first wife
N. Jothi joins DMK
Two militants killed in Assam gunbattles
Probe ordered into “torture” of disabled boy
Congress leaders put off Bhongir rally
Chandy seeks policy on SEZs
Aid to farmers
First flood warning issued in Vaigai
Airport staff’s “flash strike” called off
Taslima in hospital
Rains leave many gasping for health
A date with colours
Allowed to wear safety gear
Withdraw cut in import duty, says VS
Pakistan asked to release all fishermen
Quake hits China

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu