Heavy rains boost Mullaperiyar inflow, water level reaches 123 feet
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Theni: Improved rainfall in the catchment areas of the Mullaperiyar dam has raised its water level to 123 feet, offering relief to farmers in five southern districts of Tamil Nadu who have been struggling with water shortages due to a deficient monsoon.
The dam's inflow surged to 1,782 cubic feet per second (cusecs), up from 634 cusecs, following heavy overnight showers. The reservoir currently holds 3,163 million cubic feet of water.
Mullaperiyar, situated in Kerala near the Tamil Nadu border, supplies water to Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts, where thousands of farmers depend on it for irrigation.
Insufficient rainfall during the southwest monsoon had disrupted the agricultural schedule this year. The release of water for the first paddy cultivation season, initially planned for June 1, was postponed until August 8 due to inadequate storage.
Authorities had also reduced the discharge to Tamil Nadu from 800 to 400 cusecs to conserve water while meeting irrigation and drinking water requirements.
The recent rainfall has improved the reservoir's storage position, raising hopes of better water availability for the ongoing agricultural season. However, the situation will depend on continued rainfall in the catchment areas.
Authorities are monitoring inflow, storage and water releases to ensure supplies meet both agricultural and drinking water needs.
With IANS inputs