Summer needs met as water reaches the brim in Kaveripakkkam tank

Having a water spread of 4000 acres and a holding capacity of 1474 million cubic feet (mcft), it has a full tank level (FTL) of 28 feet. However, as the irrigation tank has not been desilted for years, the facility’s holding capacity has been reduced to 1162 mcft, officials said. 

Copious rain in the district resulted in the tank filling to the brim on October 17. The tank was allowed to surplus, to ensure maintenance of the FTL at 28 feet. However, when the tank started receiving 400 mcft supply from the Walajahpet anaicut, two days ago, officials had no option but to release 200 mcft water to the Thakkolam irrigation tank from the Kaveripakkam tank’s 27 shutters. 

Another 200 mcft was diverted to the Mahendravadi irrigation tank through another nine shutters. (Kaveripakkam tank has a total of 58 shutters). It may be recalled that a fortnight ago, farmers of Mahendravadi agitated when they did not receive enough water from their tank and hence, in addition to road roko, they also opened the tank’s shutter themselves, despite it being closed by district PWD officials. Police and PWD officials had a tough time pacifying the angry farmers, before they were allowed to close the shutters once again. 

The tank’s FTL not only ensures good agricultural prospects for local farmers, but it also recharges ground water of all domestic and irrigation wells in the vicinity. The area will not face a dry, thirsty summer, officials said.