Siruvani Dam falls short of its Full Capacity.

Now, hopes of the North-East Monsoon filling up Siruvani Dam are as good as dashed. The water level in the dam is 10 ft short of the full reservoir level of nearly 50 ft. And, there has been no rain over the last three days in the catchment.

Figures provided by the Coimbatore Corporation point out that the highest rainfall during November is 40 mm. The first week of this month has provided scanty rainfall, the maximum being 25 mm on December 3.

Very reluctantly, water supply officials say that the dam may not fill up this time even though water is still flowing into the dam from the upper reaches of the Siruvani hills. The supply situation in one half of the 105 sq.km. city and some municipalities and town panchayats may become tight during summer as the water level will only dip as soon as the inflow stops.

Officials are, however, hopeful of the Coimbatore Corporation completing the Pilloor Phase II water scheme for the city and some eastern suburbs. The Corporation had announced that the scheme will be completed and supply will begin by March 31 next year.

If that deadline is not met, the impact will be felt in the city. An official feels that it may lead to rescheduling of supply in the city to once in four days. But, he says that the Corporation's focus now is on completing the scheme by March 31, as it is aware of the risks on the Siruvani scheme front.

Water supply officials also seek to draw comfort from the Bhavani scheme implemented for Kavundampalayam Municipality and Vadavalli Town Panchayat, suburbs west of the city. But, there are already protests from the people in these areas over the quality of water being supplied under this scheme.

The residents complain that Bhavani water is not provided on alternate days despite a promise by the local bodies. They, therefore, want an increase in the supply of Siruvani water. If this demand continues during summer all the local bodies need Siruvani water will run into scarcity.