Water overflowing from Srivaikundam dam

The dam at Srivaikundam constructed across the Tamiraparani brimmed on Sunday, after water was released from various reservoirs in Tirunelveli district.

The water started overflowing from the dam, after the sluices of the Marudhur dam situated in the upstream were opened.

To avoid flooding in the downstream areas, the district administration immediately diverted a large quantity of surplus water from Marudhur dam to Sadayaneri channel.

This move controlled the water flow through the Srivaikundam dam.

The Collector R. Palaniyandi said the water diverted through the Sadayaneri channel was taken to Puthentharuvai tank situated in Sattankulam taluk, which was constructed primarily to recharge the groundwater table in the region.

The Collector said that the administration would chalk out a comprehensive plan to utilise the water that was drained without any use into the sea once it crossed the Srivaikundam dam.

"We would make efforts to conserve it for irrigation," he said.

A break in the overcast gave sunny spells in the town on Sunday, after incessant rain lashed over the last few days.

However, 25 houses in the district suffered damage, owing to heavy rain on Saturday and in the early hours of Sunday.

Of them, 18 houses situated at Ettayapuram, Kovilpatti, Tiruchendur, Srivaikundam and Tuticorin taluks, suffered partial damage, while one house at Sattankulam, and two houses each at Srivaikundam, Tiruchendur and Kovilpatti, were destroyed.

The district received a total of 293 mm rainfall, with an average of 15.42 mm, during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday.

Following is the rainfall recorded (in mm) in different places: Tiruchendur-53; Kayalpattinam- 55; Kulasekarapattinam-40; Vilathikulam- 12; Kadalkudi- 16; Vyppar-10; Soorangudi- 16; Kovilpatti-7; Kayathar-11; Kazhugamalai- 5.2; Ottapidaram-2; Vedanatham - 5; Keezha Arasadi-6; Ettayapuram- 7; Sattankulam- 20; Srivaikundam- 11.4 and Tuticorin - 16.4.