Discharge from Vaigai dam to feed crop in Madurai, Dindigul for 120 days

As per the directive of the state government, 900 cusecs of water was released from the dam on the first day for the first of the double crop region to benefit the farmers from Madurai and Dindigul districts.

Madurai Collector Veera Rahava Rao inaugurated the proceedings in the presence Theni District Revenue Officer S Kandasamy.

Water was released through Periyar main channel from the Vaigai dam for the irrigation of 45,041 acres of land in the two neighbouring districts.

A total of 6,739 million cubic feet of water would be released over a period of 120 days to cater to the needs of the farmers, sources from the Public Works Department (PWD) said. About 900 cusecs of water would be released regularly for the first 45 days and based on the availability of water, its supply would be moderated.

The ayacut area includes 1,797 acres in Nilakottai taluk of Dindigul district, 26,792 acres under the limits of Madurai North taluk and 16,452 acres in Vadipatti taluk, the sources pointed out.

The water level in the Vaigai dam on Thursday stood at 49.41 feet and the dam has been receiving an inflow of 941 cusecs following the discharge of water from Mullaiperiyar dam.

Early onset of Southwest monsoon triggered heavy rain in catchment areas along the Western Ghats and it gave rise to water storage in Periyar dam, which has maintained a comfortable position now. Around 10 days ago, water level in the Periyar dam stood at 115 feet, and currently it has risen to 126 feet. During the last week, around 1,300 cusecs of water was discharged from the Periyar dam.

Considering the healthy situation, the PWD authorities stepped up discharge of water from the Periyar dam to improve storage in the Vaigai dam, sources said. 

Hence, the officials appealed to the farmers to make use of the opportunity. Subramaniam, Executive Engineer, Periyar Vaigai Division of PWD, Selvi Jayapreetha, Periyakulam Revenue Divisional Officer, and Assistant Executive Engineers including Selvam and Sreenivasan, and Assistant Engineer of PWD Kubendran were present during the discharge of the water.