Kerala officials have reopened the Siruvani Dam, a crucial water source for Coimbatore, due to heavy rainfall in the catchment area. The water level rose rapidly, prompting the release without prior notice to Tamil Nadu authorities.
Coimbatore: The Siruvani Dam, a vital source of drinking water for Coimbatore city, has once again become the center of attention as Kerala authorities released water from the reservoir due to continuous rainfall in the catchment area.
The dam, situated in Kerala, has been subject to various restrictions imposed by the Kerala authorities. Initially, they permitted water storage up to 45 feet against the dam's full capacity of 49 feet. However, recent heavy rains in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu have led to a rapid increase in the dam's water level.
Last week, when the water level reached 42 feet, Kerala officials opened the dam's shutters without prior notification, catching Tamil Nadu authorities off guard. In response, Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabhakaran and other officials visited the dam for inspection and held talks with Kerala authorities. An agreement was reached to maintain the water level at 44.64 feet, following which the release of water was halted.
However, the situation changed again when heavy rainfall occurred in the Siruvani Dam catchment area two days ago. The increased inflow prompted Kerala authorities to release water through the dam's sluices once more.
According to officials from the Coimbatore Corporation and Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, "As of July 30, the Siruvani Dam area received 162 mm of rainfall, while the foothills recorded 85 mm. This resulted in a significant increase in water inflow to the dam. Kerala authorities have opened the dam shutters for a few hours to manage the rising water levels."
The ongoing fluctuations in water release and storage at the Siruvani Dam highlight the need for better coordination between Kerala and Tamil Nadu authorities to ensure efficient water management and uninterrupted supply to Coimbatore city.
The dam, situated in Kerala, has been subject to various restrictions imposed by the Kerala authorities. Initially, they permitted water storage up to 45 feet against the dam's full capacity of 49 feet. However, recent heavy rains in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu have led to a rapid increase in the dam's water level.
Last week, when the water level reached 42 feet, Kerala officials opened the dam's shutters without prior notification, catching Tamil Nadu authorities off guard. In response, Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabhakaran and other officials visited the dam for inspection and held talks with Kerala authorities. An agreement was reached to maintain the water level at 44.64 feet, following which the release of water was halted.
However, the situation changed again when heavy rainfall occurred in the Siruvani Dam catchment area two days ago. The increased inflow prompted Kerala authorities to release water through the dam's sluices once more.
According to officials from the Coimbatore Corporation and Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, "As of July 30, the Siruvani Dam area received 162 mm of rainfall, while the foothills recorded 85 mm. This resulted in a significant increase in water inflow to the dam. Kerala authorities have opened the dam shutters for a few hours to manage the rising water levels."
The ongoing fluctuations in water release and storage at the Siruvani Dam highlight the need for better coordination between Kerala and Tamil Nadu authorities to ensure efficient water management and uninterrupted supply to Coimbatore city.