Sluice gates of Vaigai dam opened to irrigate 1.36 lakh acres in three districts

The ayacutdars of Madurai, Ramanathapuram, and Sivaganga districts will get 1,824 million cubic feet (mcft) of water for irrigation from the Vaigai dam.

The agricultural lands in these districts would get water from October 27 to November 13. Following heavy rains in the Western Ghats, the water level in the dam increased. On October 20, the level touched 69 feet (maximum level is 71 ft). For safety reasons, surplus water was released. Subsequently, rain in catchment areas stopped. The release of surplus water was also stopped. However, the water level at the dam remained the same due to inflow.

Taking into account the water level, the Water Resources Department ordered the release of water from the dam for the ayacut areas in Madurai, Ramanathapuram, and Sivaganga districts.

A total of 624 mcft water will be released from Vaigai dam to Ramanathapuram district from October 27 to October 31. Subsequently, 772 mcft water will be released from the dam to Sivaganga district from November 2 to November 6 and Madurai district will get 428 mcft water from November 8 to November 13.

A total of 1.82 tmcft. of water, depending on the dam’s storage, will be released from October 27 to November 13. The water release will benefit around 1,36,109 acres of agricultural land in the three districts.

As the water is released from the dam, the Water Resources Department has cautioned people living near the river banks in the five districts of Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram to stay safe. The authorities have urged the public to be alert.