Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore   

Call to stop dumping of slush in water sources

CUDDALORE: The width and depth of the Paravanar have been reduced to less than half its original size owing to accumulation of silt and encroachments. This led to frequent floods, affecting lives of farmers and residents along its course.

One of the reasons being attributed to the recurring phenomenon is the discharge of slush-filled water from the Neyveli lignite mines directly into the Paravanar and the Wallajah tank.

During the “Water Walk” organised recently by Collector Rajendra Ratnoo in the places such as Pinnalur, Ambalpuram, Thalaikulam, Uthur, Jayankondam and Marudur, residents said that dumping of slush in water sources should be stopped.

Owing to continuous sedimentation, the level of the Paravanar bed had risen above the land level, resulting in breaches of banks and inundation.

Encroachments had reduced the width of the Paravanar from 80 ft to 36 ft., and the span of the bridge built across the river had fallen short of its width. This obstructed water flow and the excess water inundated farms and habitations. The residents also sought restructuring of old sluices.

The Wallajah tank never suffered any breach prior to 1990. Later, breaches became too common and the primary reasons were build-up of silt and reduction in the number of sluices from 17 to 14.

Through rough sketches drawn on the soil, the residents explained to the Collector how all 12 canals branching out from the Wallajah tank and joining the Paravanar had shrunk. The culverts across the canals too had become too small to match the flow.

Local leaders also said that despite heavy rain, the lakes at Parudhampattu, Kumudimoolai and Kothavacheri were only 10 per cent full. If these were desilted and deepened, the storage could be increased manifold and the flood situation averted.

They also sought linking of the Thalaikulam canal to the Thitta Vaikkal, construction of a sluice bridge at Kolakudi and widening of all bridges.

Responding to their demands, Mr. Ratnoo said that the Neyveli Lignite Corporation was implementing a Rs. 25-crore project to take the water evacuated from the mines to the sea.

Other suggestions would be incorporated in the report which would be submitted to the Cabinet sub-committee on flood control measures, he added.

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