Now is the time: With increase in water flow, the spot near Kalpalam bridge witnessed a large number of people taking bath in the Vaigai on Sunday. | Photo Credit: G_Moorthy more-in On Sunday morning, the Vaigai river near Kalpalam bridge in Madurai city was a sight to behold with a large number of people, many with their children, coming to take bath in the river or just to watch it - an opportunity the residents of the city do not get often. The rising water level in the river in Madurai over the past three days owing to increased release from the Vaigai dam for the lower riparian districts of Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram has brought joy to the people of Madurai as was evident from many who parked their vehicles for a few seconds on the bridges across Vaigai to take a good look at the swelling river. Sunday being a holiday, the number of people who turned up at the Vaigai went up. A sand patch on the river near the Kalpalam bridge became a perfect spot for the public to get inside the river. “In recent years, this is the first time I am seeing so much of water in the river. So I brought my two children to get a feel of it,” said R. Manthiramoorthy, who runs a mobile repair and sales shop in the city. A number of people had also brought their two-wheelers to the spot for cleaning. “We cannot afford to wash our vehicles at home since water is a luxury in the city. I was just passing by and saw few people washing their bikes. I also decided to do the same,” said N. Velmurugan, a resident of Sellur. Caution needed However, the increased water level has also already resulted in the loss of at least two lives. A boy, S. Sathish Pandi, 15, drowned in the river near Samayanallur and his body that was swept away was recovered near Munichalai in Madurai. Similarly, T. Periya Karuppu alias Akash, 12, from Kamatchi Nagar in Old Vilangudi was swept away in the river when he went with his friends to immerse an idol of Lord Vinayaka kept for Vinayakar Chathurthi celebration. Pointing out that children come on their own to take bath in the river, A. Sundarapandi, a resident of Simmakkal, who had come with his children to the river on Sunday, said that the district administration must take some precautionary measures to prevent mishaps. “Instead of just keeping warning signboards, they may consider deploying police personnel and volunteers at least in few spots where a large number of people gather,” he added.

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