Salem: In its 85-year-old history, the historic Stanley reservoir at Mettur, at the head of the Cauvery delta irrigation system, crossed yet another milestone on Monday afternoon as the water touched its full reservoir level (FRL) of 120-feet and began to overflow for the 39th time, much to the cheer of the farmers. The last time the dam was full was in the first week of August 2013.
An exultant Chief Engineer, Water Resources Organisation arm of the PWD, mr. Senthil Kumar said while the inflow into the reservoir, thanks to surplus flows from the Cauvery's catchment areas, was a whopping 70,000 cusecs, all the excess water was being let out for delta irrigation purposes.
"Unable to store any fresh inflows now, the discharge from the reservoir has been substantially stepped up to 80,000 cusecs of water by 10 pm, which includes the quantity through the 16-eye sluices as well," he said, adding, Salem district collector, Ms Rohini Bhabjubhakare has directed all precautionary steps to be taken for people residing along the banks of the Cauvery in Salem and adjoining districts.
On Sunday, with inflows into the reservoir being at a sustained 60,000 cusecs level, the water level in the dam inched progressively to its FRL mark. At 8 pm on Sunday night, special 'poojas' were performed at the '16-eye sluices' bridge, after which the authorities gradually stepped up the discharge as well.
After sounding the alarm bugle, authorities released 7,500 cusecs initially through the '16-eye sluices', which are opened only when the dam is full, besides through the power house canal (22,000 cusecs), even as the East and West bank canals were each carried 1,000 cusecs last night.
Shortly before noon on Monday, as the water level inched towards the 120-feet mark, PWD engineers, other officials, joined in by the former AIADMK minister and Mettur MLA, Mr S. Semmalai, performed 'special poojas' when engineers officially announced that FRL mark has been reached.
After pouring the sanctified water into the dam, the discharge through the '16-eye-sluices' was increased to 40,000 cusecs since Monday afternoon.
Consequently, as all the surplus water is being let out of the reservoir, flood alert warnings have been issued and people living in low-lying areas have been asked to move to safer places, officials said. Mr. Senthilkumar said nobody was permitted to take the bridge over the '16-eye sluices' as part of the precautionary measures.
The water level was being continuously monitored and appropriate safety instructions sent out to all downstream districts, he added.
Meanwhile, the flash floods in the Cauvery near Mettur and in adjoining Erode district claimed the life of one more person on Monday, with a 55-year-old man Katharvarayan being washed away near Pallipalayam in Namakkal district.
Copious flows would help Chennai via Veeranam lake
With the Stanley reservoir brimming in Mettur and the government increasing the discharge to the delta region, it has also come as a blessing to the Chennai city, as officials from Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) are keen to receive drinking water from Veeranam lake.
Sources said that water supply from Veeranam lake was last stopped four months ago to Chennai city, as it became bone dry. Moreover, the level in the four main lakes — Poondi, Chembarambakkam,Cholavaram and RedHills in Chennai region -— has gradually been declining.
