Holy dip The Cauvery has little water to offer at Tiruchi, but that did not dampen the spirits of the devout, who celebrated the Maha Pushkaram on Tuesday. Thousands of devotees are expected to take part in the event, being conducted after 144 years. M. Moorthy more-in Even as devotees, who have come to Srirangam from different parts of the country, including Andhra Pradesh, to take part in the 12-day Cauvery Maha Pushkaram festival, expressed dismay over the absence of water flow in the Cauvery, the Public Works Department (PWD) on Tuesday released 1,500 cusecs into the river from the Mayanur barrage. The decision was taken in view of requests from various forums and organisers of the Cauvery Pushkaram for release of water so that devotees could take a holy dip in the river. Karur Collector K. Govindaraj told The Hindu that as on Tuesday morning the storage at Mayanur barrage stood at 702 mcft against the total capacity of 1,040 mcft. It had recorded an inflow of 909 cusecs on Tuesday morning, and the discharge was increased to 1,503 from 903 cusecs. Thanks to the continuous rain during the last three weeks, the Jedarpalayam barrage across the Cauvery was getting good inflow mainly from jungle streams. The entire inflow was discharged into the river. The barrage was likely to get inflow for a few more days due to rain in interior parts, Mr. Govindaraj added. Tiruchi Collector K. Rajamani, who inspected the arrangements made for devotees, said the water released from Mayanur barrage might reach Tiruchi anytime. Meanwhile, the Public Health Department has set up a medical camp comprising 15 doctors, 15 nurses and 15 paramedical staff members at Amma Mandapam in Srirangam. Samshad Begum, Joint Director, Medical and Rural Health Services, said the medical camp would function round the clock, with the team members assigned for duty on rotation.

Stay updated with all the Latest Trichy headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.