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    Stage two flood warning issued in Delta districts, farmers demand water in all canals

    For the second time in 20 days, the Mettur Dam is fast nearing its maximum level of 120 feet as water discharge from Karnataka reservoirs peaked at 1.43 lakh cusecs on Friday.

    Stage two flood warning issued in Delta  districts, farmers demand water in all canals
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    Water gushing down the Hogenakkal falls on Friday

    Thiruchirapalli

    After a gap of four years, the dam reached its full reservoir level on July 23. Following heavy precipitation in the catchment areas of Kabini and Krishnarajasagar dams in Karnataka, the water discharge from the neighbouring state has risen significantly.
    “Inflow into the Mettur Dam surged to 62,000 cusecs on Friday noon from 16,969 cusecs in the morning. At Biligundulu, the entry point of Cauvery into Tamil Nadu, the inflow crossed one lakh cusecs in the evening. Water realisation at Mettur is expected to go up to one lakh cusecs by night. The dam’s storage level would reach its full level by night,” said a Public Works Department official.
    As on 8 am on Friday, the dam’s storage level stood at 116.85 feet. It has a storage capacity of 88.53 TMC. Following the heavy inflow, the discharge was stepped up from 28,300 cusecs in the morning to 45,000 cusecs in the afternoon.

    Meanwhile, farmers in the region urged the government to ensure release of water in all the canals across the Delta to save the excess water. Earlier on July 18, a maximum of 1.08 cusecs was released by Karnataka. But this time, more quantum of water would reach Tamil Nadu and the excess water would be released any time.

    When the excess water would be released, districts like Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Karur, Tiruchy, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam face the threat of heavy flooding. Already the district administrations have issue stage two flood warning to the residents. 

    Meanwhile, the farmers who have been elated over the good quantum of water released in the Cauvery, sounded positive on good samba cultivation. But, at the same time, they have urged the district administrations to ensure release of water into the entire canal system across the Delta region. The district administrations have cautioned people living on the banks of Cauvery, its branch rivers in the districts against venturing into the river and water bodies. 

    A Annadurai, Tiruchy Collector, in a release stated that due to the heavy rains in Karnataka, the Mettur dam has been receiving more than 1 lakh cusecs. Following this, more than one lakh cusecs would be let out into Cauvery. Hence those living in the banks of Cauvery, Vennaru, Grand Anaicaut and Kollidam in the district should be cautious. “They should avoid bathing, swimming, fishing, taking selfies near water bodies where the flow of water was more. Parents should keep watch on their children so that they do not play in the water bodies which would swell any time. The farmers should avoid taking their cattle through the water bodies. The residents should get to know about the release of water regularly through the media reports,” the Collector added.

    Similarly, Nagapattinam Collector has issued a flood alert. Collector C Suresh Kumar urged the public not to go near the banks of Cauvery, Vennaru and Kollidam due to the upcoming discharges of water in Cauvery.

    Cultivations begin in Theni, Dindigul with moderate rain and dam opening 

    The heavy rain that lashed Idukki in Kerala resulted in mild showers in Theni and Dindigul districts and the maximum of 115 mm has been recorded in Periyar, while Thekadi received 56.4 mm rain.

    Cultivation has commenced in Kumbam, Kudalur, Kullappagoundan patti and Narayana Devan patti. For the past two days, the cultivation has been undertaken in full swing.

     According to the senior farmers, over 1,40,707 acres land has been supported in Theni with which, the people have commenced their cultivation from the water released from Mullaiperiyar Dam.

    Meanwhile, the heavy rain in the catchment region has increased the level in the Mullaiperiyar dam by a foot from 132 feet to 133 feet. Meanwhile, the Vaigai dam reached 58.83 feet. Water is being released gradually from the Mullaiperiyar Dam.

    Rainfall received in mm
    Periyaru: 11.5
    Thekkadai: 56.4
    Gudalur: 24.5
    Shanmuganathi: 12
    Uthamapalyam: 31.6
    Veerapandi: 26
    Vaigai Dam: 3 mm

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