Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Good inflow in Siruvani Dam

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore Corporation feels a bit relieved over the last couple of days because of reports from the Siruvani Dam that the water level is rising. One half of the city is dependent on this dam for drinking water.

The tanks in the city are also filling up and this will help raise the groundwater level, Mayor R. Venkatachalam said on Wednesday. “We seem to have been saved from a crisis,” he observed.

Rainfall had been steady over the last four days, ranging from 25 mm to 35 mm, he said. Though not heavy at the dam, substantial inflow through six water falls had raised the water level to a little more than 55 ft, as against the full reservoir level of 67 ft. This was an indication of heavy rain in the catchment.

Water overflowing from Mukthikulam, in the upper reaches of the Siruvani Hills, reached the dam through these falls. According to the Mayor, the steady rise in water level even in the face of the daily drawal of about 80 million litres a day was an indication of a good inflow.

“Given the present position, we will not have water scarcity for three to four months. If water overflows from the dam this year also, comfortable supply of water can be maintained till March,” the Mayor said.

But, what was proving to be a bonus for the Corporation was the tanks in the city filling up because of heavy flow in River Noyyal, Mr. Venkatachalam said.

Eight tanks in the city and some others in the periphery get water from the Noyyal and it tributaries. Only heavy rain in the Western Ghats provides good flow in the river. And, if the waterways are in good condition, the tanks fill up. While some tanks such as Krishnampathi are as good as dead because of hyacinth and poor maintenance, the Corporation hopes that others that are close to residential areas continue to get good inflow so that its bore wells can provide enough water to people.

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