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Proposals seeking release of water sent

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The Hindu      10.09.2014

Proposals seeking release of water sent

900 million cubic feet sought for drinking water needs and groundwater recharge

Chances of this arid district getting its credit of water from Vaigai dam looked bright this year, even as the Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga district administrations have sent proposals to the government for release of 900 million cubic feet for drinking water and groundwater recharge.

As the water level in the Vaigai dam reached 51 feet against the full water level of 71 feet and good amount of discharge of water from Mullaperiyar dam was expected, the district is all set to receive its full share of 1,633 million cubic feet of water this year, official sources said.

Good storage

As there was good storage in the dam, the two district administrations have sent proposals to the government, seeking 400 million cubic feet of Vaigai water and another 900 million cubic feet of Periyar water on loan basis to meet the drinking water needs and augment the groundwater recharge, the sources said.

Ratio

The Vaigai water was shared by Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts on 2:3:7 basis respectively, but the district seldom got its full credit of 1,633 million cubic feet of water every year due to failure of monsoon or poor storage in Vaigai dam.

The district drew nil water in the last two years but received its full share in the year 2010 and 2011 when there was copious inflow into the Vaigai dam and good monsoon rains in the catchment areas.

When the district faced acute drinking water problem last year, the authorities had released 659 million cubic feet of water on the request of the district administration but the water could not even cross Manamaduarai due to severe drought condition, the sources said.