The Hindu 19.10.2010
Water released from 2 dams
Staff Reporter
THENI: Water has been released from both Sothuparai and Manjalar dams for irrigation of thousands of acres in Dindigul and Theni districts and maintenance of drinking water supply to several hamlets and town panchayats in the district. Revenue Minister I. Periasamy released it on Monday.
With the release of water from Manjalar Dam, 5,259 acres – 3,386 acres of old ayacut and 1,873 acres of new ayacut – would be benefited. One hundred cusecs of water – 60 cusecs of water for old ayacut and 40 cusecs for new ayacut – was released for irrigation of 3,148 acres in Theni and 2,111 acres in Dindigul districts. Water level stood at 55 feet in Manjalar dam. Total height of the dam is 57 feet. Inflow into the dam was 24 cusecs.
Initially, 30 cusecs of water has been released from Sothuparai dam for irrigation of 2,865 acres in Theni district. A total of 1,825 acres under old ayacut and 1,040 acres of new ayacut would be benefited.
Thirty cusecs would be released up to January 31. Later, the release would be scaled down to 25 cusecs from February 1 to 15 and to 15 cusecs between August 15 and 25. Storage level in Sothuparai dam was 100 mcft. With water level crossing the total height of 126.2 feet, water has been overflowing from Sothuparai dam for the past three days.
Collector P. Muthuveeran, who accompanied the Minister, appealed to the farmers to use water judiciously.
The Collector had released water through PT Rajan and Thanthai Periyar channels from Periyar dam on Sunday for irrigation of dry and wet lands in Cumbum valley.
