Date:26/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/26/stories/2008112658590300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Divers’ help sought to save Madakulam tank

Staff Reporter

PWD taking efforts to remove blockage in a sluice

— Photo: K. Ganesan.

On a war footing: Public Works Department officials trying to remove blockages in a sluice of the Madakulam tank, which was filling up fast following heavy rain, on Tuesday.

MADURAI: The Public Works Department sought the help of divers to remove blockage in a sluice of Madakulam tank to safeguard it from getting breached, owing to the rising water level, on Tuesday.

Fifteen divers from Melakkal, who are specialists in desilting wells, were pressed into service as the central sluice gate could not be operated with the blockage.

“It was important to operate the sluice to release the heavy inflow. Otherwise, many residential areas would be affected in case of any breach,” a PWD engineer said.

The Collector, P. Seetharaman, who inspected the work in the small hours, said in a statement that the tank was safe now as the discharge of 200 cusecs matched the inflow.

Surplus water had already been discharged into the Kiruthumal River, which inundated low-lying areas in Pookarrathoppu areas. Thirty eight persons, including 20 children, from Ansari Nagar were accommodated in a community hall and food was served to them.