Water was released into Vattamalaikarai Odai reservoir in Kangayam Taluk in Tiruppur district on Sunday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Minister for Information and Publicity M.P. Saminathan initiated the water release in the presence of Lok Sabha MP of Erode constituency K.E. Prakash and senior officials of Water Resources Department.
The release from the reservoir that gets water through the PAP Main Canal at times of surplus situations in Thirumoorthy Dam fulfils drinking water needs of people and the livestock as well.
The water release to be maintained till February 7 with a gap of 10 days envisages utilisation of 51.84 mcft through the right and left flank canals catering to irrigational needs of farmers in Uttamapalayam, Vellakovil, Lakkumanaickenpatti, Mulayampoondi and Puduppai villages.
The full capacity of the reservoir is 268.27 mcft and the current storage is 75.89 mcft. The water level is at 13.42 feet against the maximum of 24.75 feet.
Constructed at Uthamapalayam village in Kangeyam taluk in 1979, the reservoir is dependent on surplus water from the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project and rainfall in Palladam, Koduvai and Kangeyam.
In deference to the long-time demand of the farmers, the WRD submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) last year for diverting surplus water from Amaravathy Dam to Vattamalaikarai Odai reservoir.
The DPR envisages laying of a link canal from Amaravathy river under the pumping scheme, which was a poll promise of the ruling DMK party.
Under the project, surplus water will be drawn from the check dam across Amaravathi river at Kambiliampatti village located about four km away, and diverting it through a pipeline to be laid along the road, according to officials.
Though the dam was constructed during 1979 under the PAP irrigation expansion project, it remained dry till 2022-23 as there was no accrual from its catchment areas.
Water from the two canals is utilised by farmers to raise dry crops such as gingelly, sunflower, groundnut, coconut, mango, drumstick and tamarind.
Published – January 19, 2026 07:40 pm IST
