Dam shutter in Vellore, T’malai checked

After the shutter breach, the reservoir water was let out into the supply channels to lower the level from 51 feet to 20 feet and facilitate repairs. The Krishnagiri district Collector had alerted officials in four districts including Vellore regarding water release from the KRP reservoir.

Learning a lesson from the incident, PWD officials started inspecting the shutters and vents in the Mordhana, Rajathoppu and Andiappanur dams in Vellore district and also the Sathanur dam in neighbouring Tiruvanamalai district.

While Mordhana, Rajathoppu and Andiappanur have FTL (Full Tank Levels) of 37.72 feet, 24.57 feet and 26.24 feet respectively, the nearly fifty year old sathanur dam has a FTL of 120 feet and thus as it holds more water, the pressure on the shutters at the base of the dam will also be immense. However, officials said that Sathanur dam’s shutters would stand the strain.

Other than dams, the district also boasts of some big irrigation tanks. The Kaveripakkam irrigation tank has 58 shutters and was in the news a fortnight ago when locals demanding water to their village opened the shutters themselves. An altercation ensued before officials were allowed to close them later.

However, only a proper inspection will reveal whether there has been any damage as the irrigation tank is presently full.

In a move which caught people by surprise, PWD officials ordered opening of the Sathanur dam in Tiruvanamalai district on Saturday evening. With the dam already nearing its full tank level of 119 feet due to heavy rain, additional inflows due to water release from the Krishnagiri KRP reservoir led to officials fearing a dam breach if the extra water was also stored.

Hence a decision was taken to release water and the shutters were opened late in the evening.

Residents on the banks of the dams distribution channels - the left bank canal (LBC) and the right bank canal (RBC) totally covering an ayacut of 18, 000 acres – have been warned to move to higher locations, according to officials.