The Hindu 19.07.2012
Water level in Siruvani Dam continues to be critical
Coimbatore Corpn. forced to have a relook at the water supply cycle
Water level in the Siruvani Dam is no cause for comfort.- File Photo: K. Ananthan
More than a month into the southwest monsoon, the water level in the Siruvani Dam continues to be critical. As on July 17, the water level stood at 9.84 ft. The full reservoir level is 49.54 ft.
Sources say the poor rains from the monsoon have led to a situation, where the Coimbatore Corporation, the main beneficiary, is forced to have a relook at the water supply cycle.
The water level has remained at the 866 m mark for over a week now. On July 10 the water level stood at 865.85 m. On July 13 and 14 it was at 866 m. For a couple of days thereafter the water level dipped marginally only to reach the 866 m mark again.
The absence of change in water level is on account of the poor inflow into the dam. In the past week, the rainfall in Siruvani did not cross 20 mm.
The sources say they are worried as the situation has not been this bad in the recent past. The current water level is at least 25 feet less than what it was a year ago. And this calls for rationalisation of supply.
The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board supplies 80 million litres a day, of which around 65 mld reaches the Corporation. This supply brings down the water level by around 10 cm a day.
Aliyar
As far as the Aliyar water supply goes, the Corporation is on a strong wicket. As against the designed quantity of 7.33 mld, the civic body has been receiving eight mld. The TWAD Board has also removed the generators it used to streamline supply when power cut impacted the supply at pumping station.
