PWD engineers rectify defective vent in Stanley reservoir

Tiruchirapalli, July 25 (UNI) The mechanical defect in one of the 16 vents of the Stanley reservoir at Mettur across river Cauvery was rectified by engineers of the state Public Works Department (PWD) late last night.

Anxious moments prevailed at the 73-year-old dam when one of the 16 vents 'surplus weir' lifted automatically, discharging over 9000 cusecs of water into the river due to an electrical short circuit around 2100 hrs yesterday.

Panic gripped the residents of Mettur town following rumours that a major breakdown had occurred in the discharge system of the dam.

However, PWD officials came into action and closed the lifted shutter by manual operation.

Later, PWD engineers replaced the old electrical wires and restored the mechanical system.

PWD officials said the motor of the first shutter was ignited by an electricial short circuit following which the sluice went up automatically, discharging a sheet of water.

Salem District Collector N Mathivanan, along with senior revenue and police officials visited the dam to inspect the vents.

Mr Mathivanan, later told mediapersons that nothing alarming had happened as the defect was completely restored by the PWD officials.'' The dam reached its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 120 feet on July 20, following copious inflows from the Karnataka reservoirs.

UNI