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.
