THENI: Water was released from the Mullaiperiyar dam on Saturday for first-crop irrigation in 14,707 acres in the Cumbum Valley areas of Theni district, after inadequate summer and southwest monsoon rainfall delayed the usual June release.
Water from the dam is usually released in the first week of June for first-crop irrigation in the Cumbum Valley. However, inadequate summer rainfall and insufficient southwest monsoon rainfall resulted in insufficient storage in June this year.
Following heavy rainfall in Kerala recently, inflow into the dam increased and the water level rose, prompting the state government to order the release. Theni Collector R Vaithinathan urged farmers to use water judiciously, cultivate short-duration crops and adopt water-management practices to improve yields.
Water is being released for irrigation at 200 cusecs for 120 days, subject to water availability and inflow. Another 150 cusecs is being released for drinking water, taking the total discharge to 350 cusecs, the Collector said.
The water level at the dam stood at 122.30 feet on Saturday, with an inflow of 1,525 cusecs and storage of 3,083 million cubic feet. The dam, which can store water up to 142 feet as per a Supreme Court order, had a water level of 121.75 feet before the government ordered the release.
Collector Vaithinathan opened the shutters at the dam in Thekkady, Kerala. Theni MP Thangathamizhselvan, MLAs PLA Jaganath Mishra (Cumbum), Maharajan (Andipatti) and Sabari Aingaran (Periyakulam), along with officials, showered flowers on the released water.
District Revenue Officer Rajakumar, Uthamapalayam RDO Syed Muhaiddeen Ibrahim, Periyar Vaigai Basin Division Executive Engineer Sivaprabakar, Special Division Executive Engineer Selvam, Assistant Executive Engineers Mallika and Rajagopal, government officials and farmers attended the event.
The Mullaiperiyar dam is a water source for Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts.