Water was released from Sothuparai dam for irrigation of wet and dry lands in Periyakulam Wednesday.
Releasing water from the dam, Collector N. Venkatachalam said that water release would continue till March 15. About 30 cusecs would be released for the next 28 days till December 15, 27 cusecs for 60 days from December 16 to January 15, and 25 cusecs for 60 days from January 16 and March 15.
The total quantum of release would also be shared by Periyakulam municipality to meet its drinking water needs.
A total of 2,865 acres – 1,825 acres of wet lands under old ayacut and 1,040 acres of dry lands in new ayacut – would benefit. The Collector appealed to farmers to use water judiciously and raise short-term crops to get bumper harvest.
Sothuparai dam has been over flowing. Water level stood at 126.28 feet. Storage was 100.22 mcft. The entire inflow of 80 cusecs has been discharged into the river. Manjalar dam too has full storage.
Some areas of Theni district received minor showers. Veerapandi recorded 36 mm rainfall. Rainfall recorded in Periyar dam was 8.2 mm, Thekkadi 7.6 mm and Vaigai dam 2 mm.
Dindigul
Kodaikanal received heavy downpour on Wednesday evening. Water level remained static in almost all major dams owing to sudden slump in rainfall.
Water level did not touch even 50 per cent of the total capacity of major dams in Palani region.
