Paddy fields, roads flooded after breach in GA branch canal

The Kalyana Odai, which branches off from the Grand Anaicut canal (Puthu Aaru) at Kandithampattu village, runs through many villages till it drains near Madukkur. Though the discharge into Cauvery and Vennaru rivers were scaled down following the rain in delta districts, the release into Grand Anaicut was maintained around 3,400 cusecs till Sunday. 

However, the flow in the canal rose due to the downpour and the Kalyana Odai was in spate. The left bank near Mela Ulur village breached suffered more than 10-metre breach on Monday morning. Following this, water gushed out from the branch canal and flooded paddy fields in villages of Mela Ulur, Chinna Paruthikottai, Paruthiyapparkoil, Uppankarai, Thumpathikottai and Kannanthankudi. 

Most of the stretches at Mela Ulur, including the Thanjavur-Pattukkottai Road, were flooded and traffic movement was suspended in the area.

On information, Thanjavur collector A Annadurai rushed to the spot and inspected the breach. He directed officials to remove the trees that fell along the canal and asked them to ensure that there was no loss of life. Subsequently, officials swung into action and cleared the trees. Talking to reporters, the Collector said, “Around 840 cusecs was flowing into the canal when the breach occurred. Following this, the release from the head of Kalyana Odai was stopped and the work of plugging the breach commenced.” 

He further clarified that the entire water from the breach was passing flowing into paddy fields, but none of the habitations was not affected. Meanwhile, farmers, whose fields were affected, were worried as their crops were only 15 to 20 days old.