Water released from Miruganda and Shenbagathoppu dams for irrigation

Collector K. Tharpagaraj opening the sluice gates of the Shenbagathoppu dam in Tiruvannamalai on Saturday.

Water from Shenbagathoppu and Miruganda dams in Tiruvannamalai was, on Saturday, released for irrigation.

Water Resources Department (WRD) officials said around 150 cusecs of water from Shenbagathoppu dam near Polur was released for farming purposes in the region. Water from the dam will be released for 15 days, up to May 18.

“Currently, the water level in the dam is 54.28 ft, as against its total storage capacity of 62.32 ft.,” A. Raja Ganapathy, Assistant Engineer, WRD, said.

Along with WRD officials and Tiruvannamalai MP C.N. Annadurai, Collector K. Tharpagaraj opened the sluice gates of the dam, located a few kilometres away from the reservoir downstream.

At present, excess water from the dam is discharged into 48 tanks — Polur (18), Arani (12), Arcot (9), Cheyyar (8), and Vandavasi (1) — through four check dams, including Alliyabhad and Karnakur check dams. This will recharge groundwater in and around these villages.

Around 120 cusecs of water was released from the Miruganda dam near Kalasapakkam town. Water will be released up to May 9. At present, water level in the dam is 20.17 ft, as against its total capacity of 22.97 ft., officials said.