Over the last two days, Kurichi Jayalakshmi (80) has been visiting the Kollidam River (also called Coleroon) hoping to see water flowing, only to return disappointed on seeing the dry riverbed.However, now, she like others in the temple town of Srirangam is excited as water is expected to reach Kollidam in a day or two.

The surplus water discharged from the Mettur reservoir is expected to reach Mukkombu (Upper Anaikut) today and a major portion of the water will be diverted into the Kollidam. This is the most talked about event in the town, which is heavily dependent on the river for water.

This is the first time in the last two decades that Kollidam has dried, says M.S. Parthasarathy, who has been living in the temple town for over four decades. All the wells in Srirangam have dried up. This has never happened, he said.

Every day morning, water is brought from Kollidam to perform rituals for the Ranganathar deity. However, today, two small wells have been dug to fetch water only for the deity. When not in use, both are closed and locked.

Kollidam was formed by the northern bifurcation of the river Cauvery and flows on the northern side of the temple town of Srirangam.

At Mukkombu, about 17 km from Srirangam, Cauvery and Kollidam split and pass through the south and north of the town respectively.

Waiting for water

Manickam, a rickshaw puller, is expecting the water to flow in the next couple of days as the Cauvery is in spate after a prolonged dry period. Bathing in the river is a routine he sorely misses.

Meanwhile, a flood alert has been issued to people living along the banks of the Cauvery and Kollidam.

“With the river so dry, the water will be absorbed all along and it will take at least two days for the water to reach Srirangam,” said Manickam.

“We are not worried about the flood. We need water to flow in Kollidam, which is so precious to us,” he said.

raja.simhan@thehindu.co.in

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW