The surplus water discharged in the Cauvery would reach Mukkombu in the wee hours on Thursday and the realisation at Mukkombu was likely to reach 45,000 cusecs.
With discharge from Mettur dam increased since Tuesday, the Public Works department is all set to release surplus flow into the Kollidam for the second time in a month from Upper Anicut (Mukkombu).
According to PWD sources, the surplus water released from Mettur dam reached Mayanur barrage in Karur district on Wednesday afternoon. The inflow that stood at 19,100 cusecs at 6 a.m. went up to 43,020 cusecs at 4 p.m. There were indications that the flow might go beyond 45,000 cusecs.
At Mukkombu, 16,243 cusecs of water was realised at 4 p.m on Tuesday. About 15,500 cusecs was discharged into the Cauvery from Mukkombu for delta irrigation. While 250 cusecs each was discharged in Ayyan and Peruvalai canals, it was 350 cusecs in Pullampadi canal.
The surplus water discharged in the Cauvery would reach Mukkombu in the wee hours on Thursday and the realisation at Mukkombu was likely to reach 45,000 cusecs.
Once the realisation of water went beyond 45,000 to 48,000 cusecs at Mukkombu, the surplus water would be discharged in Kollidam. Going by the current trend of inflow into Mettur dam, a senior PWd official said the discharge of surplus water would only last for a few days as inflow into Mettur dam was decreasing.
Stating that the lower stream of the Cauvery from Mukkombu carried a maximum 48,000 cusecs when surplus water was discharged from Mettur dam two weeks ago, the official said it had been decided to maintain the quantum of flow in the Cauvery between 45,000 and 48,000 cusecs. Depending upon the realisation, the discharge would be lowered.
Meanwhile, Karur Collector T. Anbalagan on Wednesday sounded an alert in view of heavy flow in the Cauvery.
He said the flow had gone up to 40,000 cusecs on Wednesday within a day from 19,000 cusecs. Hence, the people living along the river must move to safer areas. Bathing in the river was banned to prevent incidents of drowning. Visitors to river fronts should avoid taking selfies. Police, PWD and revenue officials had been asked to step up vigil along the river course.