Veeranan water level declining

Cuddalore:The Veeranam tank whose water level is declining.The level in the Veeranam tank is fast declining, thereby exposing a vast stretch of grassy land on the tank bed. Only a small stream of water is visible from Lalpet at the Kattumannarkoil-end to Boothangudi, the point where water is being tapped for Chennai.

Since the inflow has virtually ceased, continued supply to Chennai is facing uncertainty. According to official sources, the present level is less than 40 feet, as against the full level of 47.50 feet.Misleading figure
But the level as presented by the officials is quite misleading. Unlike in the reservoir, where the storage would be quite widespread, water is seen only as a tiny stream from the Lalpet-Boothangudi side of the bund.
Since the gauge is located on this side, the official level is being taken at the face value, and as such it does not reflect the reality. Moreover, there is heavy deposit of moss on the water surface.

According to K.V. Elangeeran of Vettuvaikkal-Naraikkal Eri Paasana Vivasayigal Sangham, the present storage could hardly sustain water supply to Chennai for next 10 days.The tank used to get the flow mainly from the Vadavar that in turn was being fed by the Kollidam. Whenever water was discharged from Mettur Dam, the Kollidam would get its supply as the Vadavar.

But as the dam was not opened on June 12 as expected, the flow in the Vadavar canal had become a trickle. Above all, there was no rain in the catchment areas and hence, the tank has now become an ideal grazing ground for cattle and goats.With the dwindling water-level, the fishermen who are eking out a living from the meagre catch too are facing a difficulty. It is learnt that the officials have scaled down the drawal (for Chennai) from 70 cusecs to 40 cusecs, and the situation might not improve in the near future.

Mr. Elangeeran said given the vagaries of weather, the aycutdars had been saying that the Veeranam water supply scheme was not sustainable, and now their stand was vindicated.He stressed the point that the officials should not overlook the irrigation requirements of the ayacutdars, and should give reassurance to the farmers in this regard.