Grand Anaicut to feed samba, thalady

Water that was stored during the Pushkaram was initially let out as water from Mettur that was released on October 2 was expected to reach the Grand Anaicut only on Thursday night. On Thursday morning, Ministers R Doraikannu (Agriculture), R Kamaraj (Food), OS Manian (Handloom) along with Rajya Sabha MP, R Vaithilingam, Mayiladuthurai MP, RK Bharathimohan and MLAs opened the sluice gates of Vennaru river, Grand Anaicut canal and Kollidam. Initially 1,000 cusecs was released into the Cauvery, Vennaru, Grand Anaicut canal and Kollidam. 

As the water released from the Mettur dam reached Grand Anaicut during the day, the release into the Cauvery and Vennaru was stepped up to 4,750 cuses on Thursday evening. Over 1,300 cusecs was released into the Grand Anaicut canal and 1,200 cusecs into the Kollidam. 

Continuous rain over the last three days has resulted in inundation of several localities in Vaniyambadi and Ambur towns. Ambur town received 35.6 mm rain in 24 hours ending 8 am on Thursday. 

The rain also resulted in good inflows into the district’s 519 irrigation tanks, PWD officials revealed. While 21 tanks were full, 5 had water up to 75% of their capacity and another 10 were half full. The remaining 483 tanks had less than half the capacity, officials added.

Agriculture director K Dakshinamurthy, who reviewed the department work in 8 districts, urged the officials to use the rain to speed up sowing operations. 

While water borne diseases are likely to increase, another worry for medical officials is a spurt in snake bites as they anticipate snakes to be driven out of their habitats due to water inundation. Medical officials said that all government hospitals in the district had enough anti snake venom.