Papanasam dam storage level has come down
All-time low of 29 against the maximum capacity of 143 feet TIRUNELVELI: Even as storage level at Papanasam dam, the mainstay of the district's irrigation system, touched the all-time low of 29 feet against the maximum capacity of 143 feet on Tuesday, isolated rain spell was experienced in some parts of the district in the afternoon. Though this brief drizzle has sowed hope among the farming community that the southwest monsoon might set in by May-end, the usually forcefully blowing westerly wind cannot be experienced at any part of Tirunelveli and neighbouring Kanyakumari districts, suggesting that the first monsoon of the country would arrive late, as usual. As water level at the prime reservoir of the district has now gone down to really staggering stage, it is receiving only 12.38 cusecs of water, thanks to continuing dry spell in the catchment areas. And discharge from the dam is now maintained at 304.75 cusecs to ensure adequate spring in hundreds of infiltration wells sunk by the local bodies in the 120-Km-long Tamirabharani course to quench the thirst of their residents.