Persistent rainfall in the Siruvani catchment has raised the reservoir’s water level from 20.27 feet on July 28 to 22.14 feet on July 31 against its full reservoir level of 44.61 feet. With heavy rain continuing across the Western Ghats, authorities have closed Kovai Kutralam as a precaution against possible flash floods.
Coimbatore:
With the southwest monsoon regaining strength over the Western Ghats, the Siruvani catchment has been receiving steady rainfall over the past few days, leading to a gradual rise in the water level of the Siruvani reservoir, the lifeline drinking water source for Coimbatore city. As a precaution against possible flash floods, authorities have also temporarily closed Kovai Kutralam for eco tourism.
According to data released by the Siruvani Combined Water Supply Augmentation Scheme (CWSAS), the reservoir received 63 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour period ending Friday morning, while Siruvani Adivaram recorded 21 mm. Consequently, the reservoir’s water level has risen steadily from 20.27 feet on July 28 to 21.45 feet on July 30 and further to 22.14 feet on July 31, against its full reservoir level of 44.61 feet. The scheme is currently supplying 70.77 million litres per day (MLD) of drinking water against its installed capacity of 101.40 MLD.
The renewed monsoon activity has also brought widespread rainfall across the district’s hill regions. Rainfall recorded by the Coimbatore District Disaster Management Authority showed Valparai’s Sholayar receiving the highest rainfall at 97 mm, followed by Cinchona (83 mm), Chinnakallar (73 mm), Valparai PAP (57 mm), Valparai Taluk (55 mm) and Siruvani Adivaram (21 mm). Light showers were also reported in parts of Pollachi, Anaimalai and Kinathukadavu.
With rainfall continuing over the catchment, the Forest Department has closed Kovai Kutralam, located at the foothills of the Siruvani hills, to visitors as a precautionary measure. Officials said the closure was necessitated by the possibility of sudden surges in water flow and flash floods in streams originating from the catchment area.
Meanwhile, weather blogger Pradeep John, popularly known as the Tamil Nadu Weatherman, has forecast that the southwest monsoon will remain active over the next two days. According to his outlook, the Western Ghats, particularly the Nilgiris, Valparai, Siruvani catchment and adjoining ghat regions of Coimbatore, are likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall through Friday and Saturday, while the adjoining plains may experience intermittent spells of rain.
With the southwest monsoon regaining strength over the Western Ghats, the Siruvani catchment has been receiving steady rainfall over the past few days, leading to a gradual rise in the water level of the Siruvani reservoir, the lifeline drinking water source for Coimbatore city. As a precaution against possible flash floods, authorities have also temporarily closed Kovai Kutralam for eco tourism.
According to data released by the Siruvani Combined Water Supply Augmentation Scheme (CWSAS), the reservoir received 63 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour period ending Friday morning, while Siruvani Adivaram recorded 21 mm. Consequently, the reservoir’s water level has risen steadily from 20.27 feet on July 28 to 21.45 feet on July 30 and further to 22.14 feet on July 31, against its full reservoir level of 44.61 feet. The scheme is currently supplying 70.77 million litres per day (MLD) of drinking water against its installed capacity of 101.40 MLD.
The renewed monsoon activity has also brought widespread rainfall across the district’s hill regions. Rainfall recorded by the Coimbatore District Disaster Management Authority showed Valparai’s Sholayar receiving the highest rainfall at 97 mm, followed by Cinchona (83 mm), Chinnakallar (73 mm), Valparai PAP (57 mm), Valparai Taluk (55 mm) and Siruvani Adivaram (21 mm). Light showers were also reported in parts of Pollachi, Anaimalai and Kinathukadavu.
With rainfall continuing over the catchment, the Forest Department has closed Kovai Kutralam, located at the foothills of the Siruvani hills, to visitors as a precautionary measure. Officials said the closure was necessitated by the possibility of sudden surges in water flow and flash floods in streams originating from the catchment area.
Meanwhile, weather blogger Pradeep John, popularly known as the Tamil Nadu Weatherman, has forecast that the southwest monsoon will remain active over the next two days. According to his outlook, the Western Ghats, particularly the Nilgiris, Valparai, Siruvani catchment and adjoining ghat regions of Coimbatore, are likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall through Friday and Saturday, while the adjoining plains may experience intermittent spells of rain.