Tamil Nadu flood: Manimuthar dam reached capacity, 1000 cubic feet of water released into Thamirabarani river
Tirunelveli: Amid the ongoing flood problem in the state, the Tirunelveli district administration on Saturday opened three sluice gates and released 1000 cubic feet of additional water from Manimuthar Dam in Tirunelveli.
The dam reached its full capacity last night, forcing officials to release water from the Manimuthar dam into the Thamirabarani river. Manimuthar Dam in Tirunelveli has a total capacity of 5,511 million cubic feet while its maximum storage capacity is 118 feet.
The state has been receiving heavy rains for the past few days, causing havoc in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Kanyakumari. So far 35 deaths have been reported due to the ongoing floods, including 22 in Thoothukudi district and 13 in Tirunelveli district.
The state government and the Center have jointly launched massive rescue and relief operations to help the affected people.
Earlier, Indian Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopters and ALH-Dhruv helicopters dropped more than 11 tonnes of relief material at 12 different locations in rain-hit Thoothukudi district. According to the Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force, 59 tonnes of relief material has been dropped in the affected areas so far.
On Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena said rescue operations in the flood-hit southern districts of the state have been completed and the focus now is on restoration of basic services there. However, communication lines are still disrupted in some districts following the floods.
Roads and railway tracks have been submerged due to incessant rain across the state. Schools and colleges in Thoothukudi district declared holiday on Thursday after heavy rains continued to lash many areas of southern Tamil Nadu, creating flood-like conditions and disrupting life.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said his government has taken all possible precautions and measures for the safety and welfare of people affected by the floods. “Chennai and surrounding districts have received heavy and continuous rainfall.
Historically, Thoothukudi district has never seen this much rainfall. CM Stalin said, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
