Coimbatore eagerly expecting South West Monsoon
The dry bed of the Siruvani Dam at the intake tower from where water is supplied to Coimbatore. The bone dry portions of the Siruvani Dam say clearly that it is an anxious wait for the South West Monsoon for the Coimbatore Corporation and three municipalities and a clutch of other local bodies in the suburbs.The dam has only 28 ft of water as against the full reservoir level of 67.44 ft. The scene at the intake tower is hardly encouraging. Three of the four intake nozzles are visible - a confirmation of the poor water level.Corporation officials are, however, putting up a brave face by saying that there is enough water to make a comfortable supply for another 40 days. Already, supply is down by 30 million litres a day (mld) for the city, as against the allocated 87 mld. About 20 mld has been reduced in the last three months because of the plunging water level.
After a recent visit to the dam, Mayor R. Venkatachalam says there is no reason for an alarm as rain is expected soon. A few showers for some days last week have, however, not helped.Water managers of the local bodies in the city and the suburbs pray for a good rain and point out that the dam has had good times since May 2004 (see table for annual South West monsoon rainfall). The dry portions of the dam now, however, reminds the city of the three year prior to 2004 when severe scarcity hit the dam.
The water level even hit the dead storage for two consecutive years and the Corporation spent more than Rs. 8 crore on contingency measures such as sinking hundreds of borewells and also laying a pipeline to divert Pilloor water to the Siruvani-served areas.This time also, this link lends comfort to the civic body. Should the monsoon be delayed, diversion of Pilloor water may be the option to avoid public protests.Corporation sources say that the civic body is anxiously watching the situation at the dam that is located in Kerala. Any news of rain in that State, especially the Mannarkad region where the dam is located, is welcome.
The Mayor indicates that the present situation at the Siruvani Dam emphasises the need to speed up the implementation of the Pilloor Phase II water scheme to supply more than 60 mld to the city.The Phase I scheme provides 65 mld. Only then the anxiety during May and June every year over the Siruvani water position can be avoided.The new scheme is needed as there is demand for more water. Even repairs to the Siruvani lines will not help as there is no scope for increasing the quantum of water drawn from the dam. It is limited to 101 mld as per an agreement with Kerala. Only the raising of the dam's height by three feet can help increase the water level.Much of the water that overflows during heavy rain can be stored if the dam height is raised, the Mayor says.
At present, the surplus flows towards Pilloor, but still remains untapped for supply to the people.The Corporation feels that even a good monsoon cannot help beyond a point with regard to the Siruvani scheme. On its part, the civic body plans more water tanks to tap the surplus that is wasted through the overflow now.
