Vaigai dam overflows as water touches maximum level

Inundation of Vaigai bank roads led to traffic congestion in Madurai

Vaigai dam has been brimming after water level touched its full reservoir level of 71 feet on Tuesday and people living along the banks in five districts have been asked to move to safer places.

While over 7,500 mcft of the entire inflow into the dam was being discharged through the river in the morning, the inflow reduced around noon to around 5,000 cusecs. The dam has 5,829 mcft of water.

Meanwhile, recent heavy showers had led to 387 out of 1,012 irrigation tanks under Water Resources Organisation in Madurai district had water to their brim.

Another 276 tanks had 75% storage and 204 tanks had more than 50% storage as on Monday, said Madurai Collector, S. Aneesh Kumar, who inspected Sellur tank on Tuesday. The other 145 tanks had 26% to 50% storage.

The Collector who also inspected Uthangudi, Kodikulam tanks and Thanichiyam tank in Vadipatti asked the WRO officials to keep close vigil on the water storage in the tanks. He urged the officials to ensure the strength of the bunds.

He instructed them to take precautionary measures to prevent flood after due announcement to the public.

Meanwhile, water level in Periyar dam stood at 132.50 feet as against its permissible level of 142 feet with increased inflow of 3,908 cusecs. Combined Periyar credit storage stood at 8,711 mcft.