Flood Alert: Third Warning Issued As Dam Water Level Nears Maximum

Authorities have issued a third flood warning for five districts along the Vaigai river as the water level in the Vaigai dam approaches its maximum capacity. The dam's water level reached 69 feet on Wednesday, just two feet below its full capacity of 71 feet.

Despite the dwindling inflow of 2,659 cusecs, Water Resources Department officials are holding off on releasing water into the Vaigai river. "We are trying to maximize the storage level as the inflow has decreased since yesterday afternoon," explained an official. However, they warned that if the inflow suddenly increases, they will be forced to release water through the river.

Residents residing along the Vaigai riverbanks in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram districts have been urged to stay away from the river and relocate to safer areas.

In a separate development, the Public Works Department (PWD) and district administrations of Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Cuddalore have issued flood alerts for residents living along the Thenpennai river. The alert was triggered by the Sathanur dam reaching its full reservoir level (FRL) of 117 feet.

Currently, the dam's storage level stands at 117 feet, close to its total capacity of 119 feet. The dam is receiving an inflow of 1528 cusecs, with 950 cusecs being discharged into the river. Authorities have advised people living near the riverbanks to stay vigilant and maintain a safe distance from the river. They also warned that the discharge rate may be increased if heavy rainfall persists in the region. On a positive note, the substantial inflows have boosted the dam's electricity generation capacity to 7.5 MW.