Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu releases water from Kodumudiyar dam in Tirunelveli district on Friday. Tirunelveli District Collector R. Sukumar is also seen.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu on Friday released water from Kodumudiyar Dam, the district’s second smallest reservoir, on the foothills of the Western Ghats west of Valliyoor, for the upcoming kar paddy cultivation.

Water has been released from the Kodumudiyar dam even as water level in the reservoir stands at 51.25 feet against the maximum capacity of 52.50 feet.

The 50 cusecs of water being released from the dam with 121.84 mcft capacity, the district’s second smallest reservoir after Nambiyar dam (82.17 mcft), will reach 2,548.94 acres in Nanguneri and Radhapuram unions via Valliyooraan Channel, Padalaiyaar Channel and Aaththu Channel. The release of water will be sustained till October 10, 2025.

“If the catchment areas of Kodumudiyar dam experience good rainfall during this southwest monsoon, the surplus water of 100 cusecs will be released from the dam in Vadamalaiyaankaal Channel also, which will benefit another 3,231 acres. If the monsoon belies, only the 50 cusecs of water will be released in Valliyooraan Channel, Padalaiyaar Channel and Aaththu Channel on turn basis. Hence, the farmers should use the water judiciously,” Mr. Appavu appealed.

District Collector R. Sukumar, Superintending Engineer, Water Resources Organisation, Sivakumar, Executive Engineer, Manikanda Rajan and Forest Range Officer of Thirukkurungudi Yogeswaran were present.