Dharmapuri: With water flow in the Cauvery river declining, precautionary measures have been taken in Hogenakkal to maintain uninterrupted supply for drinking water schemes. Sandbag barriers have been erected across the river to ensure sufficient water storage for pumping.Water release from Karnataka’s reservoirs into the Cauvery was stopped due to poor southwest monsoon rainfall in Karnataka and Kerala. As a result, the flow in Hogenakkal dropped sharply, leaving waterfalls dry and exposing rocky surfaces. Current inflow stood at just 100 cubic feet per second.The Tamil Nadu Combined Drinking Water Supply Scheme intake station, established in 2012 on the banks of the Cauvery at Hogenakkal, continued to draw up to 145 MLD to meet the drinking water needs of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, said water resources department officials“So far, there has been no hindrance to water intake. Pumping will become impossible only if the flow drops to 20 cubic feet per second. Since further reduction is expected in the coming days, sandbag barriers are being set up as a precaution to store water and sustain supply. This will ensure continued drinking water availability for Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri residents.”(Photos: S Parthiban)
