Salem: Mettur dam surpluses for 2nd time this year

SALEM: The water level in the historic Stanley reservoir in Mettur near here exceeded its full level mark of 120-feet for the second time this irrigation season on Tuesday with renewed heavy rainfall in Cauvery's catchment areas and consequently upper riparian Karnataka discharging more water from its dams.

The PWD sources said as at 4 pm this evening, the water level at Mettur was 120.18 feet, with the storage being 93.758 tmcft. With increased inflows into the reservoir, the authorities have stepped up the discharge from Mettur dam 32,500 cusecs by this evening.

As a precautionary measure, a flood alert has been sounded for all the 12 Cauvery delta districts. The 16-eyed vents at Mettur dam have again been thrown open through which 16,000 cusecs were being released this evening, sources said.

The inflows into Cauvery at Biligundulu, the border point upstream of Mettur was 40,000 cusecs, which is expected to go up to 60,000 cusecs by Tuesday night, sources added.

Meanwhile, Salem district recorded 804 mm of rainfall in the heavy rains that lashed on Monday night. The heavy downpour which began around 10 pm last night saw Salem town alone 87 mm of rain, inundating several low-lying areas in the process.  Areas like Narayananagara, Kichipalayam and New bus stand were flooded by the rainwater, affecting vehicular traffic and inconveniencing the public. In some areas like Ammapettai, rainwater got mixed with sewerage, much to the chagrin of locals.