The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Heavy rain, but storage poor in Dindigul dams

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 04, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Heavy rain, but storage poor in Dindigul dams

By Our Staff Reporter

DINDIGUL, OCT. 3. Even as the district received heavy rain last week, storage in major dams, except Varadhamanadhi in Palani taluk is not very encouraging.

In Athoor Kamarajar dam, lifeline for Dindigul Municipality and 18 villages, the level touched 18 feet against its capacity of 23 feet, thanks to heavy rain in Thandigudi hills. Water has not reached even half the capacity of major dams in Palani and Oddanchatram taluks.

In Palar Porundhalar dam, the level is 38.81 feet (85 feet). The level stood at 65.64 feet (90 feet) in Parappalar dam in Oddanchatram union. Farmers have said they could not lift water below 30 feet owing to accumulation of silt. An appeal was made for desilting the dam during drought season when the level had gone below zero level. While the level is 36.60 feet (79.93) in Kudairaiyar dam, in Kudaganar dam it is 3.67 feet only. Last week's heavy rain in the plains of Kodaikanal and in the hills did not enhance storage in various dams. But in Varadhamanadhi dam in Palani taluk the level is full to brim.

Public Works department officials released water for samba irrigation on 2,250 hectares. Paddy was cultivated only on 1,135 hectares in the district. Similarly, area under small grains was reduced drastically.

Farmers begin sowing

However, farmers in rainfed areas, expecting good rain, have taken up sowing. According to agriculture officials, the area under cultivation during September increased to 44,000 hectares, against 17,400 hectares in August. They were optimistic the area under rainfed crops would cross the 1.20 lakh hectares mark.

With comfortable storage in Athoor and good flow in the Vaigai channel, the Municipality has been supplying water to the town once in five days. Earlier, the supply was being made once in 10 days. People residing in high-ridge areas received water once in 12 days. With existing storage, water supply could be maintained in the town without problems, the officials said.

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