HISTORY:
The Andiappanur dam near Tirupattur has received surplus water after five years following heavy rain last week. The water is expected to benefit about 5,025 acres of agricultural lands in the nearby villages.
The level in the dam, which is nearly 20 km from Tirupattur, has reached its full capacity of 112.2 mcft since Monday. The depth of storage of water at the dam is eight metres, according to P. Anbarasu, Assistant Executive Engineer, Upper Palar basin sub-division, Vellore. The dam was established during 2003-2004.
“It was in 2005 that the dam swelled with water to its full capacity. Presently, the dam has received surplus water of 53 cusecs. There are 10 tanks which receive water from the Andiappanur dam. Several villages in the surrounding areas will benefit to a large extent from this water level,” he said. The 10 tanks at Chinnasamuthiram, Madapalli, Tirupattur taluk, Selanthampalli, Konerikuppam, Muthampatti, Kamblikuppam, Rachamangalam, Pasilikuttai and Kanamanthur have a total capacity of 30 mcft. Villages in these areas and at Andiappanur, Kurusilapattu, Vadugammuthampatti, Thathavalli, Marapalli and Tirupattur will benefit from this inflow, he pointed out.“About 5,025 acres of agricultural lands will benefit through the water from the dam. The dam has uncontrolled spill and one sluice gate for irrigation purpose. The areas will have sufficient water supply from the dam for a minimum of three to four months,” Mr. Anbarasu said. Following heavy rains last week, the dam swelled with water flowing from the Andiappanur Odai and Javadhu Hills.
In addition to this, four tanks of the Public Works Department at Tirupattur and Vaniyambadi have also received inflow to the full capacity. Bommikuppam Eri and Semmanapudur Eri at Tirupattur and Kollamangalam and Agaram Eri at Vaniyambadi have water to the full capacity. The four tanks have a total capacity of 10 mcft, he added.