MADURAI: State Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R B Udayakumar on Sunday said that 2,500 cusecs of water had been released from the Vaigai dam into the river, and urged those living in low-lying areas along the river’s banks to move to safer locations.
A third flood warning had been issued in the five districts of Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Virudhunagar and Sivaganga after the water level at the dam reached 69 feet against a total capacity of 71 feet at 5am on Sunday. However, the minister assured that officials had taken all precautions ahead of the North East monsoon expected to hit the State later this week.
Addressing media after a meeting at the Madurai Collectorate, Udayakumar said of the 4,260 cusecs of inflow to Vaigai Dam, 1,700 cusecs had been released through Periyar Main Canal for irrigation, 60 cusecs had been released for drinking water needs of Madurai Corporation and the remaining 2,500 cusecs had been released into the Vaigai. It may be noted that in the past two days, inflows into the dam had increased owing to heavy rains in Kerala’s Idukki district and in the Moola Vaigai catchment area.
The minister said surplus water had been released from Vaigai Dam in the month of October only in 1962, 1977 and 1981 till this year. In case of emergencies, public can contact 1077 and 9597176061.
Before monsoon hits...