Mullaperiyar Dam: Tamil Nadu opens canal shutters as water level rises

KUMILY: Tamil Nadu has opened the shutters of the canal that carries water from the Mullaperiyar dam to the state. Water has been released from the canal since Saturday for irrigation in Theni district and drinking water supply to Madurai Corporation following a rise in the dam’s water level.

A total of 350 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water is being released. Of this, 200 cusecs is being supplied for agricultural purposes and 150 cusecs for drinking water.

The water will be used for the first-season crop on 14,707 acres of paddy fields in the Cumbum Valley of Theni district. Water supply for the first crop usually begins in the first week of June. However, it has been delayed by two months this year due to weak monsoon rains.

Theni MP Thanga Tamil Selvan, MLAs A. Maharajan, Jagannatha Mishra and Sabari Ainkaran, officials from the Tamil Nadu Revenue and Public Works departments and farmers attended the event.

As of Saturday morning, the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam was 122.3 feet. The dam is receiving water at a rate of 1,526 cusecs from its catchment area.

‘Encroachments’ reported in Thekkady

Cumbum MLA Jagannatha Mishra told the media that several hotels and resorts had allegedly encroached on land in areas linked to the Mullaperiyar dam in Thekkady.

He said such encroachments on the leased land of the dam should be removed immediately. The MLA also demanded that the dumping of waste into the canal water should be stopped.