It will also rejuvenate infiltration wells on the river bed of all drinking water schemes
It will also rejuvenate infiltration wells on the river bed of all drinking water schemes
The Public Works Department will start releasing water from Vaigai Dam from April 11 for Lord Kalajhagar’s entry into the river on April 16.
A total of 216 mcft of water will be released for six days to ensure the flow of water in the river at the venue near Albert Victor Bridge before April 16.
With the Vaigai Dam having abundant storage of 5,546 mcft and the irrigation season is almost over, the PWD will have no problem in releasing the water reserved for the Chithirai festival.
According to a PWD official, water will start releasing from 6 am on April 11. Initially, 750 cusecs of water will be released through the river in the first two days. The flow of the crowd will help the water reach Madurai city before the day of the festival.
From April 13, PWD has proposed to reduce the release volume to 500 cusecs. It will be further reduced to 350 cusecs on April 14 and 300 cusecs on April 15. The release will be stopped on April 16 at 6 am.
The flow of water will help the thousands of devotees who gather on the banks of the river to beat the heat. In addition, devotees, especially those who shave their heads to fulfill their vows, can also take a bath in the river.
The water that is released for the annual Chithirai festival will also recharge the river bed and thereby rejuvenate hundreds of infiltrated wells of various drinking water schemes below the Vaigai dam. This will help in maintaining drinking water supply during the scorching summer in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar and Sivaganga districts.