Theni farmers start cultivation as Manjalar, Sothuparai dams open

Along with Periyar and Vaigai dams, Manjalar dam is one of the important storage structures in the southern districts as more than 5,000 acres of farm lands in Dindigul district are dependent on the dam. Recently, the dam received surplus rain and the water level reached the maximum capacity of 55 feet. Farmers started cultivation process as the excess inflow was let into the Manjalar river. Officials expect an increase in the total acreage of crop coverage this year in Theni and Dindigul districts. 

Similarly, Sothuparai is another key dam in Theni district, which is present across Varaha river near Periyakulam. The dam too received good inflow and surpassed the 100 ft mark recently against its total height of 126 ft. Sothuparai dam also caters to the drinking water needs of Periyakulam residents. 

According to the Public Works Department (PWD) officials, 240 cusecs of water had been released from Manjalar dam and it would irrigate 5,259 acres in Dindigul district. Similarly, 30 cusecs of water had been released from Sothuparai dam and it would irrigate 2,865 acres of land in Theni district.

Theni Collector N Venkatachalam, SP V Baskaran and Cumbum MLA STK Jakkaiyan, were present when the waters from the dams were released.