Locals warned as Pillur dam shutters opened

COIMBATORE: Villages along the banks of river Bhavani have been put on alert as shutters of Pillur dam were opened on Tuesday afternoon after the water reached the maximum level of 100 feet due to heavy showers in the catchment areas of the reservoir.
The decision to open four shutters of the dam was taken after 3pm as the water level exceeded 100 feet. The level was 95 feet on Monday.Heavy inflow of water still continues at the dam and the shutters will remain open till the water level comes down.
District administration and Mettupalayam taluk officials are monitoring the situation. However officials said that in the current scenario there was no need to evacuate or relocate anyone living close to the reservoir but they would take precautionary measures if necessary.
"All revenue and emergency services personnel are scanning the situation along the course of the river downstream. There is good rainfall at the catchment areas of the dam and there is strong inflow into the reservoir," said L Krishnamoorthy, Tahsildar, Mettupalayam Taluk.
According to Tamil Nadu water supply and drainage (TWAD) board sources, the inflow of water into the reservoir was about 7,000 cusecs as on late Tuesday night. The shutters were opened after making announcements and issuing warnings to the residents. This is the first time in 2014 that the shutters of Pillur dam are being opened to release excess water.
Heavy rains in Kerala resulted in steady increase in Bhavani water level. The main settlement areas that are being monitored include Nellithurai, Thekkampatti, Sirumugai and Irumburai in Mettupalayam. The district administration was prepared to open the shutters of the dam last week after a significant rise in Pillur water level but aborted it as the rains temporarily subsided bringing down inflow of water into the dam.