More rain needed to replenish waterbodies

COIMBATORE: With rain lashing western ghats, water gushed down the Noyyal river in the district on Tuesday, bringing waterbodies along the way alive. Environmentalists say the waterbodies in the district will fill up only if rain continues to lash for more than two weeks.
As on Tuesday, water has reached Kurichi Kulam, Pudhu Kulam, Kolarampathi tank and Sottaiyandi Kuttai tank.
R Manikandan, a representative of Kovai Kulangal Padhukaappu Amaippu, said, “Water from the rain on Monday has reached the waterbodies. It would take another 20 days of rain for them to fill up.” Kovai Kulangal Padhukaappu Amaippu is a forum that has been working to preserve the waterbodies in the district.
However, there were hinderances for water to reach some waterbodies. The Vellalore tank didn’t initially receive water, as the public works department (PWD) workers had paced construction materials on the water channel that feeds it. Manikandan said officials should give top priority to waterbodies getting filled.
When contacted, a PWD official said they have instructed the workers to remove construction materials and let water into the tank. “The work would be paused to let water reach tanks, as it is more important. At some places, due to the presence of water hyacinth, inflow to tanks was slow. We have taken steps to clear them. As on Tuesday evening, all tanks have been receiving water.”
Meanwhile, a mud causeway across the Noyyal at Perur was washed away due to strong water current. The causeway was erected by the rural roads wing of the state highways department as the old bridge was demolished for reconstruction.
When contacted, officials said the causeway was not meant for the public and that was set up for the contractor to transport materials. Public have been asked to use the main road.
It is to be noted that a mud causeway across the river at the same place was washed away around the same time last year.
At some places such as Sunnambu Kalavai canal at Kuniamuthur, water frothed, indicating the presence of effluents from the region.