Tamil Nadu - Salem

Rain brings copious inflow into tanks, ponds in Salem

SALEM: The pre-Deepavali rain has brought copious inflow into various tanks and ponds in Salem district.

Collector N. Mathivanan told mediapersons that of the total 106 tanks belonging to the Public Works Department, seven had registered 100 per cent storage as on Tuesday while eight others had recorded 75 per cent of storage. While 13 tanks registered 50 per cent, 48 had received 25 per cent of storage. The remaining 30 remained dry.

Under the Mettur Dam Irrigation system, three out of total 18 tanks received 75 per cent of water followed by five 50 per cent, two 25 per cent and eight with no water. No tank was full to its brim. Of the total 37 tanks under the Sarabanga Basin region, seven had recorded 100 per cent followed by two (75 per cent), one (50 per cent) and 27 (25 per cent).

Of the total 280 tanks in Unions, nine had reached full capacity while 32 registered 75 per cent of receipts. While 34 were half full, 84 tanks recorded 25 per cent with 121 remaining dry.

Of the total 150 ponds in Unions, only one pond could achieve 100 per cent water holding capacity while 11 other ponds recorded 75 per cent followed by 17 (50 per cent) and 22 (25 per cent). The remaining had received no water.

Barring an incident at Ilampillai where an anti-social breached the tank bund with the help of an earthmover to empty the water, many tanks had retained the healthy receipts of water.

The district administration, the Collector added, had improved the water holding capacity by taking up desilting works under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

He said that the district had received a total rainfall of 142.74 mm till Tuesday as against 193.02 mm of rainfall realised during the corresponding period last year.

“The South West Monsoon was not that beneficial to the district. We are solely depending on the North East Monsoon now,” the Collector said.

Mettur Dam’s water level stood at 87.37 feet against its full capacity of 120 feet with the inflow of over 19,000 cusecs.

The water level of Kariakoil reservoir was 39.37 feet (52.50 feet). The water level of Anai Maduvu stood at 29.19 feet as against its full level of 67.25 feet.

Mr. Mathivanan also said that no loss of lives was reported from any parts of the district due to the recent rain. He also said that no major property loss also was reported.

“However, I have asked the officials to assess the crop and cattle damages, if, any,” he said.

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