Wet riverbed owing to recent rain proves to be advantageous
Water was released from Vaigai dam for Chithirai festival on the evening of Thursday. A quantum of 150 mcft of water from the Vaigai credit will be released till May 6, coinciding with the famous event of Lord Kallazhagar's entry into Vaigai river, scheduled for Sunday.
Following a Government Order, 1,500 cusecs of water would be released on the first day, the Superintending Engineer, Periyar Vaigai Basin Circle, S. Mohanasundaram, said. Subsequently, it would be reduced to 1,000 cusecs, and 500 cusecs.
The entire stretch of the riverbed downstream of Vaigai dam up to Viraganoor was already wet thanks to good summer showers in the last five days.
This wet condition would work to the advantage of the Public Works Department engineers in better management of water in ensuring fresh and clear water reaching the city in time. Lord Kallazhagar would enter the river near the Albert Victor Bridge.
To be monitored
“The quantum of water release will be decided after monitoring the speed of water flow for the first 12 hours. If the water flowed fast, we will lower the quantum of release so that good flow of water is maintained on the riverbed in the city just before the ritual takes place,” Mr. Mohanasundaram said.
Rainwater had cleaned the riverbed to some extent in the last few days. Besides serving the purpose of Chithirai festival, the river wetting would help recharge infiltration wells of drinking water schemes of several local bodies and ensure smooth water supply in summer.
Keywords: Chithirai festival, Vaigai dam
