more-in After seven years, the water level in Vaigai dam crossed 66 feet again on Friday. District Collector M. Pallavi Baldev sounded the first warning after inspecting the reservoir. PWD engineers said the inflow into the dam was 4,872 cusecs. With the maximum storage level at 71 feet, the second warning would be given when the water level touched 68 feet. The final one would come at 69 feet, when the surplus would be released in the Vaigai. Although the weather forecast for the next 24 hours was not alarming, the Collector was briefed about the preparedness and preparatory measures taken by PWD engineers at Vaigai dam, where sand bags and other materials were well-stocked, a spokesman said. A senior engineer said there was no need for panic as rain in Varushanadu and Vellimalai areas had declined in the last 24 hours. “It may take at least another two days for the level to touch the 69 feet mark,” he told reporters. There was widespread rain only in Periyar (93.2 mm) and Thekkadi (78 mm) catchment areas, while it was meagre in Vaigai dam (6.2 mm). Thus, the inflow into the Vaigai dam might reduce in the next few days, he added. Madurai Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao appealed to residents in the district, especially, those who stay put near the river banks of Vaigai to keep away. While the farmers were upbeat as they hoped the rise in water level in the Vaigai dam might facilitate release of water for farming activities, officials kept their fingers crossed as they were more worried about the safety aspects. Appeal Members of the Water Users Association in Andipatti said the State government should not succumb to the pressure of Kerala government and lower the water level in Mulla Periyar. “When a Supreme Court-appointed three-member sub-committee inspected the reservoir less than a fortnight ago and expressed satisfaction on the stability and safety of the dam to store water up to 142 feet, the Kerala Chief Minister cannot deamnd that the level be reduced it to 139 ft.”

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