‘Prosperous’ flow in the Cauvery for Aadi Perukku unlikely this season

Although Aadi Perukku, that is marked on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi, this time falling on August 3, people are sceptical of the Cauvery flowing till the tail end since the riverbed in Tiruchy still appears parched. The public were already a dejected lot on Aadi Amavasai (New Moon Day) that had just passed, with no water available even for completing customary rituals, and have urged officials to ensure the flow of Cauvery during Aadi Perukku which is believed to bring prosperity to the family and to the society.

With the failure of monsoon rains, and the Mettur dam level staying at just 42.98 ft on Wednesday-with an inflow of 350 cusecs, and the release of water from the dam around 1000 cusecs for drinking purposes, the people living along the Cauvery delta region are disappointed as the Aadi Perukku would force the people to depend on borewells to complete the rituals.

Although PWD officials have been reportedly exploring possibilities of making the water available for Aadi Perukku, the ground water level along the Cauvery has also receded swiftly owing to severe drought condition. However, officials are persisting in finding some possible way to satisfy the drinking water demands and also ensure water availability for Aadi Perukku. However, doubts still persist whether people would witness the Cauvery flowing full during the festival.

Meanwhile, the levels at KSR and Kabini in Karnataka which channel water into the Cauvery for use by Tamil Nadu is reportedly too little. According to sources, the water availability at the KSR is 6.43 tmc while it is 2.65 tmc in Kabini. According to sources, although north and coastal Karnataka received good rainfall in the the past four days, there is no sign of monsoon rains in the catchment areas and so, the inflow of water into KSR and Kabini may not be good.

With only a month left for Aadi Perukku, the public think that there may not be water availability in the Cauvery this year as Karnataka has released only 2 tmc water against the due share of 9. 19 tmc for the month of June. They have subsequently urged the State government to ensure water availability this season.