Date:01/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/01/stories/2008060151170300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Tension as Amaravathy dam water enters Karur

L. Renganathan

Traders anxious, as they put up amusement materials on riverbed

Curtails joy: Children and elders enjoying merriment games on the Amaravathy riverbed in Karur.

KARUR: Water released from the Amaravathy Dam in the river reached Karur and as it furthered to reach the river’s confluence with the Cauvery near Thirumukkoodalur near here, it caused anxious moments to those traders who had put up amusement and entertainment equipment on the Amaravathy riverbed as part of the Sri Mariamman temple festival.

Authorities had released water for irrigation and drinking water purposes in Karur district a few days back from the dam.

That followed fervent appeals from the Old and New Amaravathy ayacut farmers in Karur district for immediate release of water to save the standing crops in the region.

Crops in hundreds of acres were starving for water while the level in the dam was gaining height and storage was sufficient.

Finally, the authorities relented and decided to release 2,500 cusecs daily to meet the irrigation and drinking water needs during the current summer in Karur district.

Water reached Karur areas on Wednesday, and as the river course meandered through the town to reach Thirumukkoodalur. The joy for the Karur townsmen was more this year during the water release as it coincided with the culmination of the annual Sri Mariamman temple festival.

On the last day of the festival, the sacred neem stem was taken in a ceremonial procession and traditionally lowered into the river. Over the years the public and devotees have come to accept the reality that meagre or nil flow in the river would only allow a deep pit to be dug up in the dry riverbed where the sacred stem would be lowered. But this year the sacred stem was, much to joy and satisfaction of the devout, lowered into the river that carried enough water.

If it is a happy occasion for the faithful, those traders who have put up amusement machines such as merry-go-round, giant swing and the like on the river bed hoping to cash in on the huge gathering during festival days, the flow brought only sorrow.

It has spoiled their usual business and forced them to curtail their shows prematurely.