MADURAI

 

MADURAI: The vast 

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam

 is inching closer to its full capacity of 14 feet in spite of the peak summer, thanks to copious rain in the catchment areas of dams in Theni district.

The 

Vaigai

 river witnessed flow of water due to overflowing Majalaru and Sothuparai dams and rain water

Teppakulam from Tuesday onwards, through Panaiyur channel. An official from the engineering department of 

Madurai

corporation said that the water level has crossed 13ft and is expected to reach 14ft early on Thursday morning. They left water to flow for one full day before diverting to the Teppakulam to flush out dirt and soil

He added that water is continuously available in the tank since November 12. It went to the lowest of 2.5ft in April. “We will continue to fill the tank as 7.5cm of water level comes down in a day due to evaporation and percolatio,” the official added.

He said that they cleaned the Panaiyur channel only a fortnight ago when the water was released from Vaigai dam for wetting the parched riverbed. Water was brought to Teppakulam for a few days then. So much garbage had accumulated in the channel between Ismailpuram 1st and 12th Street in just 10 days.

Brimming water in the Teppakulam is a treat to the eyes of visitors as well as locals