Official suspended on retirement day for failing to detect faulty shutter

Balasubramanian, however, said that he was unaware of the exact reason for his suspension.

“I am yet to get the order for suspension,” he told reporters.

It came as a shock even as farewell arrangements were under way to the official, when a communication was received on his suspension. On Wednesday, one of the main shutters broke partially triggering fears of flooding in five districts of Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts.

The flood threat continues as about 6000 cusecs of water is gushing out of the dam. Officials are unable to do anything as repair works can be carried out only after the water recedes up to the crest level of the spill way. Thankfully, as the water level has begun to come down in the reservoir, there is also a likelihood of reduction in discharge.

“If there is no further aggravation in the damage caused

to the dam, the peak out flow from the dam has already passed through. However, the effect of rainfall in Karnataka due to the cyclonic storm needs to be monitored closely,” said a report by the Central Water Commission (CWC).

The water storage level at the KRP dam has nosedived to around 40 feet as against its 51 feet on Wednesday. The dam has a total storage capacity of 52 feet. As the shutter broke prompting a heavy outflow of water, another shutter was opened to ease pressure.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has asked authorities in Tamil Nadu to closely monitor the Ponnaiyar river for the next five-seven days after a shutter of the Krishnagiri dam got damaged recently, forcing release of water downstream, and in view of Cyclone Ockhi.

The reservoir on the river is located near Periyamuthur village, 10 km from Krishnagiri town.

The dam reached its full reservoir level (FRL) in September this year due to “very heavy rainfall” in the upper catchment of Ponnaiyar river in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. “The effect of rainfall in Karnataka if any in association with cyclonic storm Ockhi is to be monitored closely.

“The inflow to Sathanur dam will be moderated around discharge from Krishnagiri dam other than that through the intervening catchment rainfall,” the CWC said in its report. Referring to the forecast that the area is likely to receive 25-50 mm rain over the next two days, the CWC said it might increase the inflow into the Krishnagiri dam.