Imagine the mighty Vaigai dam near Andipatti in Theni district opening its gates to pour a lifeline to thirsty fields! Yes, the Water Resources Department (WRD) rolled out water from the Vaigai dam starting Saturday, November 8, especially for the old ayacutdars — the traditional water users — in Madurai district. Why this sudden rush? The Tamil Nadu state government gave clear orders for this release. The WRD is providing water for the old ayacutdars of three districts — Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, and Madurai. Let's break down this watery festival: - From October 27 to November 1, 624 million cubic feet (mcft) of water drenched the lands of Ramanathapuram district. - Then, from November 2 to November 6, 772 mcft flowed to Sivaganga district. - Now, from November 8 to November 13, a wave of 428 mcft will cascade to Madurai district’s old ayacutdars. Adding these up, a whopping total of 1824 mcft of water will be released carefully based on the reservoir’s storage levels. What about those levels? The Vaigai dam, which can hold water up to 71 feet, had a proud storage height of over 68 feet on Saturday. The water inflow is expected to be steady in the coming days, bringing much joy to farmers awaiting rains and releases. In short, the old ayacutdars in Madurai and neighboring districts will enjoy continuous water support till November 13. Such a well-planned water release is like a gardener watering plants just right — not too much, not too little. The WRD officials are watching closely, hoping this helps the farmers reap a good harvest. So, the Vaigai dam’s waters are not just flowing; they’re spreading hope across Tamil Nadu’s fields!