Chennai, Aug 2 (BPNS)

The Water Resources Department of Tamil Nadu has issued first and second flood warnings to people living on the banks of river Vaigai as water level in raises and touched 69 feet on Tuesday in the Vaigai dam.

An official with the Water Resources Department told BPNS that once the water level touches 70 feet they would release water. The Vaigai dam was receiving 2630 cusecs of water on Tuesday morning and officials said that the water may be released any time if the water level further rises.

The water level at the Mullaperiyar dam is at 134.65 feet and the inflow was 2602 cusecs while 1866 cusecs were being released into the Vaigai dam.

It may be noted that with heavy rains in Idukki district of Kerala, the catchment areas of the Mullaperiyar dam in Periyar and Thekkadi received 48.6 mm and 42.22 mm rains.

Madurai district collector Anish Shakar told media persons that 30 low-lying areas were identified in the district and were being monitored as the water level in the Vaigai dam was rising. He also said that inter-departmental committees were monitoring 33 water bodies to prevent any eventualities as rains continue to lash the catchment areas of the Mullaperiyar dam and water level in Vaigai was rising.