MADURAI:
Madurai and
Theni district collectors on Friday issued the
first flood warning to people living near the banks of the
Vaigai river as water level in the Vaigai reservoir was steadily increasing.
The water level in the reservoir stood at 66 feet at 6am, and inflow was 4,941 cusecs. The total capacity of the reservoir 71 feet
Madurai district collector K Veera Raghava Rao and his Theni district counterpart Pallavi Baldev asked people living near the banks of the Vaigai river to move to safer places and refrain from bathing and grazing their cattle near the river.
The second warning would be issued when the water level reaches 68 feet, and the final warning will be issued when it touches 69 feet.
It might take two days for the water level to reach 68, as rain in the catchment areas decreased on Friday afternoon.
Water level in the
Mullaperiyar dam stood at 141.30 feet with an inflow of 25,587 cusecs. Discharge from the reservoir was 24,500 cusecs.