Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113050910300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Surplus water from Poondi released

K. Lakshmi

Photo: S.Thanthoni

IN FULL FLOW: Water gushes out of the sluice gates of the Poondi reservoir opened on Friday to join Kosasthalaiyar river. —

CHENNAI: The heavy inflow from the catchment areas resulted in the discharge of surplus water from the Poondi reservoir early on Friday.

The reservoir received an inflow of 17,700 cubic feet per second (cusecs) from the catchment areas and a similar quantity was discharged up to 10 p.m. on Friday. The discharge was stepped up gradually during the course of the day in tune with the inflow.

Several people from the neighbouring areas visited the reservoir to witness the water gushing out from the 10 shutters. Residents of Poondi said though not many residential areas were affected, commuters to nearby areas such as Uthukottai were stranded as the roads were water logged.

Officials of Water Resources Department said the level of 34 feet was being maintained in the reservoir. The water discharged would reach the sea through Tamaraipakkam, Karanodai and Ennore Creek. The storage level stood at 3,125 million cubic feet (mcft) as against the total capacity of 3,231 mcft.

The discharge of Krishna water received through Kandaleru-Poondi canal has also been stopped, as the canal was flowing up to its brim with rainwater, the officials said. As the water in the Red Hills reservoir also reached a near maximum level, a few shutters were opened on Friday night as a precautionary measure, officials said. An inflow of about 10,000 cusecs was received in the reservoir. However, only 1,000-2,000 cusecs would be released and it would not affect the nearby areas, including Manali New Town, Mathur and Manjambakkam, the officials added.

Meanwhile, the release from Chembarambakkam reservoir has been reduced by half to 7,000 cusecs on Friday, following decline in inflow.

Residents of Ambattur and Mogappair woke up on Friday to a rude shock as water entered their houses and their belongings came under water. Ambattur Municipality officials said the surplus water from the Ambattur lake overflowed into areas such as Menambedu and Mogappair. Measures were being taken to bale out the stagnant water in the affected areas and provide relief assistance to people.

Traffic on the Chennai Tiruvallur High Road, an arterial road connecting Padi to Tiruvallur, was the worst-hit as several stretches were under knee-deep water.

Residents said the areas, already affected by stagnant rainwater, suffered the brunt of spillover of surplus water from Ambattur lake.

However, a few residents in areas along the Cuddapah Road, Kolathur, managed to make use of the flood water running across their area for various purposes. While some washed clothes in the stagnant water, children turned the water-logged roads into swimming pools and a fishing area.