First flood alert issued as Mettur Dam level touches 110 ft

The water level in the Mettur dam has been rising at a faster pace in the last few days with Karnataka increasing the discharge from its dams across the Cauvery in view of the copious inflows following heavy rains in catchment areas. This has prompted the Tamil Nadu government to advance the opening of the dam for irrigation in Cauvery delta districts from August 15 to today.

With the water level of the Mettur Dam touching 110 feet against its maximum of 120 feet due to heavy inflows, officials today issued the first flood warning for 12 districts downstream.

Mettur Sub-Divisional Officer R Kovalan has issued the flood alert to 12 districts downstream the reservoir stating that due to the heavy inflow, the water level might reach the maximum of 120 feet soon and excess water would be let out into the Cauvery.

The alert sent by e-mail asked district officials to take steps to move people living on the banks of Cauvery to safer areas, they said. PWD officials said, if the present level of inflow continued, the water level will reach the maximum of 120 feet in two days, in which case the shutters of 16 vent surplus weirs will be lifted allowing the excess water to flow out.

As per practice, the first flood alert is issued when the water level reaches 110 ft, the second, once it crosses 115 ft and the final warning would be given once the reservoir attains its full level, they said.