The Water Resources Department issued an urgent safety advisory on Saturday, directing residents living along the banks of the Thoppaiyar river in Salem and Dharmapuri districts to immediately relocate to safer areas with their essential belongings.
This precautionary measure comes as authorities prepare to release surplus water from the Thoppaiyar dam following significant rainfall in the catchment areas.
Rising Water Levels Trigger Safety Measures
Officials confirmed that the inflow into Thoppaiyar dam has increased dramatically, reaching 131 cubic feet per second (cusecs) due to persistent heavy rainfall in key catchment zones.
The affected catchment areas include the Yercaud Hills in Salem district along with Bommidi and Uthupallam regions in Dharmapuri district. This substantial inflow caused the water level in the reservoir to rise to 45 feet by Saturday morning, according to WRD officials.
Dam Specifications and Capacity Details
The Thoppaiyar dam, strategically located in Dharmapuri district, stands at an impressive 50 feet height and boasts a substantial storage capacity of 298.6 million cubic feet.
With water levels approaching the dam's maximum capacity, the controlled release of surplus water becomes necessary to maintain structural integrity and prevent uncontrolled overflow situations.
Immediate Actions and Community Response
Local authorities have activated emergency response protocols and are coordinating with disaster management teams to ensure smooth implementation of the relocation advisory.
Residents in low-lying areas adjacent to the riverbanks are being provided with necessary assistance and guidance regarding safe relocation routes and temporary shelter arrangements.
The Water Resources Department continues to monitor the situation closely and has assured that regular updates will be provided as weather conditions evolve and water levels stabilize.
