Heavy rain in Western Ghats and Siruvani catchment
A tree uprooted owing to rain near Nehru Stadium in the city on Saturday.The torrential rain in the Western Ghats and in the neighbouring State of Kerala had resulted in steady and copious inflow into the reservoirs in the Parambikulam – Aliyar Project (PAP) reservoirs. The rain in the Siruvani dam has resulted in the storage level going up fast bringing relief to Coimbatoreans allaying fear of an impending water scarcity.While the Western Ghats and PAP areas received a heavy rain, the rainfall remained very moderate in and around the city. After two days of salubrious climate and chill breeze accompanied by mild drizzles, the city witnessed moderate showers on Saturday morning. There were reports about uprooting of trees and disruption in power supply.According to reports reaching the district headquarters, Upper Nirar i.e., Chinna Kallar recorded the highest rainfall of 423 mm with Annur receiving the lowest of 4 mm. The rainfall level in mm at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday are as follows; Valparai Taluk 245, Valparai PAP 240, Chincona 200, Pollachi 39, Agriculture University 23.40, Coimbatore South Taluk 15.20, Avanashi 13.30, Airport 10.50, Sulur 10, Udumalpet 9.40, Mettuppalayam 9, Palladam 7.40, Tirupur 7, Sholayar 280, Parambikulam 138, Aliyar 35, Thirumurthy 16, Amaravathy 4, Lower Nirar 217, Uppar 4, Upper Aliyar 25, Pollachi 295, Navamalai 30, Sircarpathy 31, Manacadavu 66 and Pongalur 8.
The water level in PAP reservoirs on Saturday morning in ft (full reservoir level in brackets) are as follows; Sholayar 75.05 (160), Parambikulam 12.71 (72), Aliyar 75.50 (120), Thirumurthy 16.76 (60) and Amaravathy 49.69 (90).
The storage in Amaravathy had risen by 10 ft in just one-day because of copious inflow into the reservoir due to the rain in the Western Ghats and in Kerala.The Siruvani reservoir recorded 326 mm while it was 210 mm at the foothills.The water level in the dam stood at 869.10 mts (as against 878.5). Water level had risen by 2.5 m in the last few days. There was a steady and copious inflow into the reservoir from the Muthikulam and other streams, officials said.Authorities anticipated the rain to turn vigorous in the days to come.
The heavy rain in Western Ghats and in the Siruvani catchment areas has resulted in a steady inflow in the Noyyal river causing flash floods along the foothills of Siruvani.The inflow has resulted in the Chitirai Chavadi dam overflowing.The South Tahsildar V. Subramanian along with Sub-Divisional Officer for Noyyal from the Water Resource Organisation (WRO) of the Public Works Department, P. Kandasamy inspected the areas along the banks of Noyyal to identify pockets whether there could be breaches resulting in flood water entering the human habitations.
Mr. Subramanian has requested people living in low lying areas along the banks of the river and those on encroachments along the river to move to safer places besides removing their cattle and other belongings.The revenue administration also reviewed the preparedness on the part of the revenue department, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Highways Department, Public Works Department, Fire and Rescue Services personnel to handle the situation arising in the event of floods.Mr. Subramanian sounding a flood alert along the banks of river Noyyal said that Village administrative officers have been asked to alert the public by tom tomming.In the event of floods, the public have been requested to contact the 24-hour control room at 2214225.
