Water level in Tamil Nadu dams almost double compared to 2017

The data obtained from State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) states that water level in all the dams are almost close to the maximum capacity and when compared to 2017, the water levels are more than 200% in some reservoirs. 

Stanley Reservoir in Mettur, constructed across River Cauvery, is the major irrigation reservoir in the state as the water discharged from the reservoir irrigates more than 5 lakh acres in Cauvery Delta districts. Owing to recent downpour and flood not only in Tamil Nadu, but also in the neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka the inflow to Stanley Reservoir increased manifolds resulting in flood. 

The water inflow still continues to Mettur dam. As on Thursday, the inflow was 6,090 cusecs. Due to the constant inflow of water the water level in the dam stands at 116.71 feet against the total of 120 feet. Similarly, 88,320 million cubic feet of water is in the dam against the total capacity of 93,470 million cubic feet. 

However, when compared with the previous year, the present water level is more than double. For instance, on September 13, last year, the water level in Mettur dam was just 76.69 feet and the total stored water was 38,738 feet. 

Similarly, major reservoirs such as Mullaiperiyar, Vaigai, Papanasam and Manimuthar also has more water stored when compared to the previous year. The additional water present in the major dams have facilitated government for timely release of water for irrigation.

The state government had decided to release 2,500 cusecs of water from Vaigai dam for ryots of Madurai and Ramanathapuram districts. Already, 500 cusecs of water is discharged from Vaigai dam for farming in Ramanathapuram district and the additional 2,500 cusecs will aid in farming. 

However, farmers are sceptical whether the released water would reach tail-end areas as many of the water bodies were not desilted properly. 

KP Perumal, Treasurer, Tamil Nadu Farmers Union, said though the state government claims that water has been released from Vaigai dam many of the channels are still dry and farmers have not benefited from the released water. “Desilting has not been carried out in most water bodies and there will be skewed supply of water,” he added.