After Cauvery floods, Delta officials positive to face monsoon

TIRUCHY: Though the southwest monsoon is estimated to give less rainfall compared to north east monsoon, the state received more than 90 per cent of surplus rainfall and almost all the major reservoirs have filled up already.

The state has been readying to face the challenges predicted from the north east monsoon, which would start from the month of October.

But, the officials expect early start of the NE monsoon and have planned accordingly to tackle the situation.

The south west monsoon had surprisingly given surplus rainfall that resulted in flooding in the Cauvery as well as the Kollidam as around 2 lakh cusecs of excess water was released into the Upper anicut (Mukkombu). As Mukkombu has been devised to divide the water into the Kollidam and the Cauvery, it could manage for the past few days despite there being an unpredicted heavy flow of water. The Mukkombu can withstand the maximum capacity of 3.50 lakh cusecs and it can divide the water letting into the Kollidam with 2 lakh cusecs (maximum) and the Cauvery with 1.50 lakh cusecs (maximum).

“Fortunately, we could release maximum of 1.35 lakh cusecs into the Kollidam when the flow was at its peak on September 1. The inflow in the Mukkombu was 1.95 lakh cusecs and water was released carefully into both the Kollidam and the Cauvery, said Tiruchy Collector M Pradeep Kumar after inspecting Mukkombu then.

The districts downstream to Tiruchy were given timely alerts to equip themselves to be ready to tackle if flooding prevails at their respective districts. When the inflow in Mukkombu crossed 1 lakh cusecs, the PWD Principal Secretary and district monitoring officer Dr K Manivasan was present in the district and was overseeing the flood prevention activities and thus the monitoring officers for Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam were present and giving on time advises.

Despite heavy flow in both Cauvery and Kollidam, excepting a few low lying areas, there were no major flooding. According to officials, the on time action prevented water entering residential areas and thus ensured no life loss. “We have already identified vulnerable areas where the breaches might occur and took precautionary measures,” said an official from the PWD. With the south west monsoon resulting in heavy flow in Cauvery and Kollidam for three times, the officials have identified the vulnerable spots well in advance with previous experience and ensured careful monitoring of water release from Mukkombu.

Though the water flow has subsided for the past few days and the officials have heaved a sigh of relief for the time being, they have kept themselves busy on charting out the flood prevention activities for north east monsoon, which would commence from October. “Even if the monsoon starts early, we are prepared to face it as there are adequate safety measures, including relief camps that have already been made”, said the officials.

“The vulnerability has been categorised as ‘very high’, ‘high’, ‘medium’ and ‘low’, in each taluk of every revenue district. We will keep a close vigil at such places,” said a Disaster Management and Mitigation Department official. Similarly, the district administrations have ensured of removing the encroachments close to the inlet canals and have ensured to strengthen the banks of the rivers.