Date:30/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/30/stories/2007103057470100.htm

Front Page

Major dams in the State filling up fast

Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI: Several major dams in the State are inching closer to the full reservoir level, thanks to the latest rain spell. National Highways for a total length of 1,700 km across the State have been damaged.

The Amaravathi, Pechiparai, Perunchani and Krishnagiri dams are fast filling up, in addition to the Mettur and Bhavanisagar reservoirs, which have remained only a few feet short of the full reservoir level. Inspecting a badly-damaged road stretch at Sethiathope in Cuddalore on Monday, T.R. Baalu, Union Minister for Shipping, Highways and Road Transport, said it would require Rs. 70 crore to carry out the repairs.

The damaged portions of major NHs in the State linked Tiruchi-Chidambaram, Chennai-Tiruttani, Coimbatore-Mettupalayam, Madurai-Tuticorin and Tiruchi-Thuvarankurichi- Madurai.

Noting that 30 stretches in the State were badly damaged, the Union Minister said estimates would be prepared in a week. The Centre would sanction funds within a month.

Initially, work on 12 stretches would be taken up at a cost of Rs. 26 crore, he said. The depression weakened into a well-marked low pressure area on Monday morning and it lay over southwest and adjoining west central bay off the coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh.

Heavy rain

During the 24-hour-period that ended at 8-30 a.m. on Monday, several areas in and around Chennai experienced heavy rain following the depression over southwest bay.

The Mettur water level stood at 118.4 ft (full level: 120 ft)The level at Amaravathi, also part of the Cauvery system, was 108.05 ft against the full level of 110 ft.