Tamil Nadu releases 350 cusecs of water from Mullaperiyar dam
After a two-month gap, Tamil Nadu released 350 cusecs of water from the Mullaperiyar dam for agricultural and drinking purposes following an increase in water
After a two-month gap, Tamil Nadu released 350 cusecs of water from the Mullaperiyar dam for agricultural and drinking purposes following an increase in water levels. According to officials, Tamil Nadu normally releases water from the dam every year on June 1 for irrigation and drinking needs. However, due to the El Niño effect, monsoon rainfall in the catchment areas was very low through June and July, keeping the water level below 113 feet.
Heavy rainfall over the past week subsequently raised the dam’s storage level to 122.30 feet on Saturday. Following the rise in water levels, farmers’ groups demanded an immediate release of water. In response to the demand, water was released on Saturday and the supply will continue for the next 120 days. Out of the 350 cusecs, 200 cusecs are allocated for agricultural purposes and 150 cusecs for drinking water. Due to the previous water shortage in the dam, the first farming season across 14,707 hectares of land in five neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu faced a severe drought threat.
Theni MP Thanga Tamil Selvan and Cumbum MLA Jagannath Misra, among others, attended the water release ceremony. During the event, the Cumbum MLA noted that waste from the Kumily local body areas was mixing with the Mullaperiyar water and demanded immediate measures to stop the pollution. Meanwhile, a recent letter by Kumily panchayat president M.M. Varghese to Tamil Nadu authorities pointed out that sewage from the Tamil Nadu bus stand was flowing into the Mullaperiyar dam, urging immediate action to prevent it.
The local body also noted that steps are already under way to set up a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Kumily to address the issue.
The BriefWire