Surplus water from Andhra Pradesh’s check dam near Pullur panchayat flowed into Palar river on Monday, breathing life into the bone-dry river in Vellore district. The water has reached Ramanaickenpettai, which is located four kilometres from the check dam.
Officials of the Public Works Department said there were heavy rains in Thimmampet and surrounding villages located on the Tamil Nadu-AP border in Vellore district on Monday.
Following the rains, surplus water from the check dam that was constructed by the AP government in Perumpallam in Chittoor district started to overflow into Palar river. The AP government had raised the height of the check dam by 12 feet last year.
“On Monday morning, villagers informed us that water was flowing in the river. The irrigation assistants of the department went to the spot. Water flowed into the river up to Ramanaickenpettaitill Monday afternoon. The flow has slowed down now,” an official said.
In fact, Palar’s tributary, Mannaru, in Thimmampet, also received water following rains in the areas, he said.
A. Asokan, member, Reversal of Ecology Committee, Vellore, said this part of the river was witnessing water flow at least after 15 years.
It was a reason to be happy as this water flow could help in recharging ground water table in the area.
“Water has flowed in the river from Pullur, Thimmampet, Avarankuppam and reached Ramanaickenpettai. As of now, water is available only after digging for 1,050 feet for sinking borewells in Ramanaickenpettai and surrounding villages. This water flow in Palar will help in recharging the ground water table,” he said.
