The Hindu : Front Page : Periyar Dam storage falls

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Monday, Jul 21, 2008
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Periyar Dam storage falls

K. Raju

THENI: Despite the commencement of southwest monsoon at right time, poor rainfall in catchment areas has not only affected the inflow, but also reduced the storage level in Periyar dam, signalling water shortage for irrigation of over 14,000 acres in Cumbum Valley.

Water level has gone down to 122.8 feet in Periyar dam and 58.89 feet in Vaigai dam on Sunday. Inflow into Periyar dam was nil. However, Public Works Department engineers have increased the discharge to 1,375 cusecs for irrigation and to generate electricity at the Hydro Electric Power Station at Lower Camp in Gudalur.

The present storage would suffice for only one month as water could be drawn from the dam up to 108 feet only, thanks to accumulation of silt. “In the absence of rain, we will face problem in protecting the first crop,” PWD officials added. Rain fall was inadequate in Kerala since June 1.

Already, PWD had announced that turn system would be introduced in the double crop area under Vaigai ayacut in Madurai and Dindigul districts soon. Water would be released in cycles. (Water has been released from the dam since June 1.)

Even as the level in the Vaigai dam remained low, the dam has received 955 cusecs of water, thanks to a heavy discharge from Periyar dam.

Rainfall recorded in Periyar was mere three and one mm in Tekkadi. No rainfall was recorded in any part of the district.

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