Expert team assesses safety of Sathanur Dam in Tiruvannamalai
A technical committee inspected the dam's structural features following the onset of the Northeast monsoon, according to The Hindu.
An expert team from the Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation (CDSE) Committee of the Water Resources Department (WRD) conducted a detailed structural and safety inspection of the Sathanur Dam in Tiruvannamalai on Wednesday, The Hindu reported.
The inspection, led by former Central Water Commission Chairman A.K. Bajaj, included a review of the dam body, spillway gates, shutters, earthen structures, and hydro-mechanical components. The team also inspected the Left and Right Canals and appurtenant structures.
WRD officials stated that under the National Dam Safety Act 2021, major dams in the State must be inspected by an expert team at least once a decade. Assistant Engineer N. Santhosh said the inspection helps make corrections in the structure and operation of the dam to enhance safety.
Sathanur Dam is the third largest dam in the State by height and storage capacity, following Mettur and Bhavani Sagar. The dam currently holds 3,769 mcft of water, which is 51.48 per cent of its 7,321 mcft total capacity.
The facility provides 4 tmc of water annually for irrigation and supports 88 tanks along its route. The Left Bank Canal feeds 30 tanks in Tiruvannamalai and 10 in Villupuram, while the Right Bank Canal connects to 48 tanks in Villupuram.
The dam also provides at least 2 tmc of water for domestic use in 150 villages and towns such as Chengam and Tiruvannamalai. This is done without reducing the deck storage level of 56 ft.