Summer rain leaves no impact on storage level in Thirumoorthy, Amaravathy dams
Water level stands at 39.37 ft. against the maximum of 90 ft. in Amaravathy Dam; in Thirumoorthy Dam, it is 20.77 ft. against the maximum of 60 ft.; For water to reach the dams through run-o€ e€ect, at least 20 mm rainfall is required. Five to 10 mm rainf
The spell of summer showers has meant precious little for Amaravathy and Thirumoorthy dams in Tiruppur district.
Water level continues to be dismal as there has been negligible rainfall in the catchment areas of these reservoirs, according to ocials of Water Resources Department.
Water level stands at only 39.37 ft. against the maximum of 90 ft. at the Amaravathy Dam. Against the full capacity of 4,047 mcft, the current storage is at 720 mcft.
At the same time last year, the level was 61.81 ft. with storage of 1,839 mcft.
Likewise, in the Thirumoorthy Dam, current level is less at 20.77 feet against the maximum depth of 60 feet. At the same time last year, the level was at 27.16 feet. The storage is 399 mcft against last year’s extent of 569 mcft.
For water to reach the dams through run-o effect, at least 20 mm rainfall was required. Five to 10 mm rainfall would be ineffective, a senior ocial said.
The water available in the Thirumoorthy Dam would be utilised only for drinking water purpose until June-July, the ocial said.
Water for irrigation had
Rainfall from summer showers in the catchment area of Amaravathy Dam has been negligible.
been released thrice in recent months - twice for 24 days each and once for 12 days. Water release for irrigation could not be carried out for 12 additional days due to shortage position,
he added.
As for Amaravathy Dam’s ayacut areas, the wetting caused by the summer showers has been of help to the farmers in Palladam-Sultanpet belt.
However, the scope for further release of water will not arise until there is substantial rainfall in the catchment areas, it is learnt.
Citing the forecast that there will be rainfall until May 16, ocials are hopeful that there could be some extent of water accrual in the dams.
Pilloor, Siruvani
Ocials from the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) said that Pilloor Dam’s catchment area has received only 15mm of rainfall as of May 13, which, they deem, is insucient to signi cantly improve the dam’s water level. Currently, water level in the dam stands at 11 feet, far below its total height of 55 feet.
“The rainfall received is not adequate. But since the city has been receiving rainfall over the last few days, we remain hopeful for increased precipitation in the catchment area. Pilloor-I and II are currently operational, regularly supplying water to the city,” said Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabhakaran.
Similarly, in Siruvani Dam, there has been minimal rainfall in the catchment area. “As of May 12, the dam received only 0.12mm of rainfall, yet it continues to supply 35 MLD of drinking water to Coimbatore,” said a TWAD ocial.