Water to be released from Vaigai dam for Chithirai festival

It will also rejuvenate infiltration wells on riverbed of all drinking water schemes

The Public Works Department will begin release of water from the Vaigai dam on April 11 for Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into the river scheduled for April 16. 

A total of 216 mcft of water would be released for six days to ensure that the water flowed in the river at the function venue near Albert Victor Bridge before April 16. 

With the Vaigai dam having a copious storage of 5,546 mcft and the irrigation season almost over, the PWD would face no problem in release of the water reserved for the Chithirai festival. 

According to a PWD official, water release would begin at 6 a.m. on April 11.  Initially, 750 cusecs of water would be released through the river course for the first two days. The rush flow will help in the water reaching Madurai city before the festival day. 

From 13 April, the PWD has proposed to reduce the quantum of release to 500 cusecs. It would be further reduced to 350 cusecs on April 14 and 300 cusecs on April 15.  The release would be stopped at 6 a.m. on April 16. 

The flow of water would help tens of thousands of devotees, who gather on the riverbed, to beat the heat. Besides, devotees, especially those who tonsure their heads as part of fulfilling their vow, can also bathe in the river.

The water that is released for the annual Chithirai festival will also recharge the riverbed and thereby rejuvenate hundreds of infiltration wells of various drinking water schemes downstream the Vaigai dam. It would help in maintaining drinking water supply in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar and Sivaganga districts during peak summer.