Sathanoor and Thirukovilur Dams: Floods, Embankment Damage, and Urgent Restoration Efforts
Chennai, 17th December 2024: The Sathanoor and Thirukovilur dams have been severely affected by rising floodwaters in recent days, causing damage to embankments and flooding agricultural land. The breach in the embankment at Sathanoor Dam resulted in water flowing through the Aemapper region, which eventually joined the Thennpenni river again.
The flood situation arose after Sathanoor Dam released 1,68,000 cubic feet of water per second on 2nd December, followed by Thirukovilur Dam, which released 2,35,000 cubic feet of water. As a result, the floodwaters overflowed and breached the embankment, allowing water to flood nearby farmlands, particularly in the Aemapper region.
Restoration Work and Government Response:
In response to the situation, Tamil Selvan, the Water Resources Department supervisor, along with Ayyappan, assistant engineer, is overseeing the restoration work. The embankment is being repaired with materials like stones, gravel, and soil. The repairs, which began on 16th December, are expected to continue until the embankment is completely restored.
To manage the water release, Sathanoor Dam has reduced its water discharge to 1,000 cubic feet per second as of the morning of 17th December. The release of water from the dam has significantly affected surrounding areas, with water flowing into the agricultural lands and affecting the Vandanoor, Elanthampattu, and Chiruvathur regions.
Farmers’ Request for Urgent Action:
Farmers have raised concerns about the need for urgent action, requesting the government to expedite the restoration work. According to estimates by the Water Resources Department, the total cost for restoring the embankment of Sathanoor and Thirukovilur Dams is approximately ₹180 crores. Farmers have expressed that the work should be conducted on a war footing to ensure the safety of the region's farmlands.
Dam Water Distribution:
The water released from the dams flows through various channels, including Pumbai, Malattar, Raghavan, and Siddalingamadam, providing irrigation to regions like Vathanoor and Thirunavalur. The water also flows through the Elanthampattu and Chiruvathur waterways, affecting several other regions.
Cost of Restoration:
The Water Resources Department has estimated a restoration cost of ₹180 crores for the embankment repair work. The urgency of the situation has led farmers to demand immediate action to secure the dams and prevent further flooding.
