Water was released from Vaigai dam near here for irrigation of the first crop in the double-cropping areas in Dindigul and Madurai districts on Wednesday.
After releasing water, Theni Collector N. Venkatachalam and Madurai Collector L. Subramanian said 900 cusecs had been released. On the whole, 6,739 mcft of water would be released for irrigation through Periyar main channel. This discharge would continue for the next 120 days, they added.
A total of 45,041 acres – 29,501 acres in Madurai north block, 13,747 acres in Vadipatti block in Madurai district and 1,793 acres in Nilakottai block in Dindigul district – would benefit. Turn system would be introduced if there was any slump in storage level or in case of monsoon failure, they added. The Collectors appealed to farmers to use water judiciously and raise short-term crops for bumper harvest. To increase the storage level in Vaigai dam in order to meet irrigation needs of farmers in Dindigul and Madurai districts and to release water in mid-July, the PWD had increased discharge to 1,300 cusecs from Periyar dam for the past 10 days.
Water level stood at 51.57 feet in Vaigai dam, with an inflow of 815 cusecs. The storage was 2,205 mcft. A quantum of 60 cusecs has been discharged from the dam to meet the drinking water need of Madurai city.
The level stood at 124.3 feet in Periyar dam with an inflow of 391 cusecs and a discharge of 1,300 cusecs. The storage was 3,479 mcft. Periyar dam received a rainfall of 0.4 mm.
