Water levels in Siruvani, Pillur reservoirs rise following heavy rain

COIMBATORE/SALEM: Southwest monsoon brought heavy rainfall to the Western Ghats, significantly increasing water levels in Siruvani and Pillur reservoirs, which serve as major drinking water sources for Coimbatore district.

The water level in the Siruvani dam rose by 5.05 feet in a single day on Sunday, increasing from 21.55 feet to 26.60 feet. The Siruvani foothills recorded 128 mm of rainfall on the same day. On Monday, 60.04 MLD (million litres per day) was drawn from the reservoir to meet Coimbatore's drinking water needs.

Meanwhile, water was released from the Pillur dam on Monday after a gap of several months, as the storage level approached full capacity. Officials said the sluice gates of the dam were opened early in the morning to release 12,000 cubic feet of water into the Bhavani river to maintain a reservoir level of 97 feet. An advisory was issued urging residents on the banks of the Bhavani river to move to safer areas and refrain from entering the water.

After reviewing the impact of the rain in a few areas, minister for housing and urban development S Muthusamy told reporters that although very heavy rain lashed Valparai, no major damage was reported. Highways, PWD and forest departments are continuously monitoring the situation to prevent any landslides. Tourists were not allowed to enter Valparai.

"Banana plants were damaged in the district due to the heavy rain. A total compensation of Rs 25.50 lakh has been proposed to the govt by the collector. As of now, only one relief camp is active out of 90 camps. Around 100 people are staying in that camp," he added.

In Valparai, heavy rainfall persisted for the third consecutive day on Monday morning. Other parts of Coimbatore district received moderate to light rain in the 24 hours that ended at 7.30 am on Monday. The district received a total rainfall of 1232 mm and an average rainfall of 53.57 mm.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Coimbatore district is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall till Sunday.

According to data from the District Disaster Management Authority, Chinnakallar in Valparai received the highest rainfall at 213 mm, followed by Cincona (124 mm), Valparai PAP (114 mm), Valparai taluk (109 mm), Sholayar (99 mm), Makkinampatti in Pollachi (80 mm), Aliyar (60.20 mm), Madukkarai Taluk (43.20 mm), Pollachi taluk office (41 mm), Podanur railway station (39.20 mm), Anaimalai taluk (28 mm), Kinathukadavu taluk, PWD office, Varapatti and Pillur dam (each 22 mm), Mettupalayam (18 mm), and Coimbatore south taluk (16 mm).

Salem and Erode districts received heavy rain Sunday night and Monday morning. Yercaud in Salem district received the highest 21.2 mm of rainfall in the district. It caused traffic disruptions in some parts of Yercaud. Around 20 tribal villages in the hill station lost power after several trees were uprooted and fell on electric posts.

Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts also received heavy rain.