MADURAI: Water from Vaigai dam released on April 20 had reached Madurai on Monday. PWD (public works department) officials said that water had reached Madurai in the morning itself much ahead of anticipated arrival from Vaigai dam in Andipatti . The water has been released to facilitate the entry of Lord Kallazhagar into the river on April 25, the highlight of the ongoing Chithirai festival.

The water had dried away more than five months back as the monsoon failed last year. However, the water appeared dark when it entered the city as it flowed over pools of drainage water stagnating in the dry river bed. The river was also seen washing along garbage, water hyacinth and other waste like bottles that were being dumped in the bed all these days. At Albert Victor bridge, near the spot where Lord Kallazhagar would get into the river, the city corporation had pressed in earthmovers to remove water hyacinth. A makeshift ramp of sand bags and mud has been put up near the bridge to facilitate the entry of the deity.

But the dirt and dark water did not deter children from jumping into the knee high water to have a joyous bath to quench the heat. Several children at Simmakkal, Arapalayam and AV Bridge were seen taking bath in the river.

The flowing water has become an attraction of sorts for motorists who stopped their vehicles on the bridges to have a glimpse of the river.

