SALEM: The inflow into the Mettur dam is being discharged entirely for delta irrigation. Due to high rate of discharge - 80,000 cusecs on Monday night and 75,000 cusecs on Tuesday - officials are monitoring the flow of water closely. Revenue and PWD officials in 12 districts have been alerted. They are monitoring the situation and have warned people living in low-lying areas near the riverbank about it, Collector Rohini Ramdas Bhajibhakare told mediapersons here.She also urged the public not to believe rumours about chances of earthquakes because the Mettur dam became full in a short time.
The dam reached its full capacity 120 ft on Monday afternoon following heavy rain in the Cauvery basin and discharge of water from dams in Karnataka. The inflow increased to 80,000 cusecs on Monday night and considering the dam’s safety, water was then released at this rate.On Tuesday morning, the water level stood at 120.4 ft. The inflow was 75,170 cusecs and the storage 94.11 tmc ft. The discharge on Tuesday was 75,000 cusecs for delta irrigation - 52,000 cusecs through 16 eye sluices and 23,000 cusecs through eight of them. The discharge through the East and West bank canals was 700 cusecs.
Special teams have been formed to monitor the flow of water and where necessary, disaster prevention and rescue teams are on 24-hour readiness, the Collector said. Fishing has been banned and people living in low-lying areas advised to move to higher places. The district administration is taking all possible steps to utilise the water being discharged, she added. The Collector urged the public not to believe rumours about earthquakes.
The Mettur dam is very strong and officials are monitoring and inspecting it regularly. People should also not take its photographs without permission. Those violating the directive will be prosecuted, she added. Meanwhile, PMK functionaries led by State deputy general secretary R Arul submitted a petition to the Collector, urging her to divert the excess water.