Don’t release excess water from Mettur at nights, orders Stalin

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday directed the officials not to release excess water from Mettur dam at nights.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting with Collectors of 12 districts to review the conditions in the districts due to excess rainfall and excess release from Mettur dam and was briefed about the scenario and preparatory steps taken towards the release of 2 lakh cusecs of water from Mettur dam.

The Chief Minister, in the meeting, directed officials "not to release excess water without informing the public residing in river banks. Especially, officials should restrain from releasing excess water at nights.".

Flooding at the Mettur dam

Heavy to very heavy rain is predicted in the districts adjoining Western Ghats and as predicted Coimbatore district received very heavy rainfall. Chinnakallar in Coimbatore district for the second day received very heavy rainfall of 142 mm, which is the highest in the State.

Valparai received the second highest rainfall of 122 mm followed by Solaiyaru and Chinkona, both in Coimbatore district, receiving 86 mm and 70 mm, respectively.

When compared to the average rainfall, the State had received 97 per cent excess rainfall this Southwest monsoon season as Tamil Nadu from June 1 to August 3, this year, received a total of 249.5 mm.

Citing excess rainfall and release of water from Mettur dam, the Chief Minister directed the officials to frequently inspect the conditions of people residing along the banks of river Cauvery.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to make sure that the paddy bags kept in open areas outside the warehouses should be covered properly with tarpaulin and the bags should be transferred inside the warehouses to make sure that they are not wasted in the rain.

He further directed the officials to take steps to provide quality food, drinking water, milk and bread for children in the rescue and relief camps setup by the government. Apart from that the officials are also directed to setup medical camps wherever necessary.