Concrete buildings around it are blocking entry of rainwater
Kasi Viswanathar temple tank in Ayanavaram remains completely dry despite heavy spells of rains (Photo: DC)
Chennai: It may seem an irony. Despite heavy rain that resulted in widespread inundation, the Kasi Viswanatha Swamy temple tank at Ayanavaram here is completely dry.
Reason: Concrete buildings around it are blocking entry of rainwater.
Ayanavaram has two temple tanks. The ancient Parasurama Lingeswarar temple tank is fully filled due to unprecedented monsoon rain and its rainwater harvesting system.
In contrast, the tank of Kasi Viswanathar temple remains totally dry. The temple tank located adjoining Konnur High Road is surrounded by residential buildings on three sides.
The two century old temple tank has a provision for entry of rainwater from Konnur High Road while concrete structures on other sides block water entry.
“When the Konnur High Road was flooded on November 13, we cleared blocks preventing entry of water from the pavement. But even the little amount of water that entered the tank disappeared because of deep bore wells in surrounding residential buildings,” T. K. Viswanatha Davay, trustee of the temple told DC. The 220-year-old temple tank has been dry for several years now, he said.
“In the early 1990s, the temple tank used to brim after monsoon. There were no buildings around the tank and rain water from adjoining areas entered without hindrance,” he said, demanding the corporation to help channelise run off rainwater into the tank.
Unlike Kasi Viswanathar temple tank, the filled up Parasurama Lingeswarar temple tank is an example of success of rainwater harvesting, said social activist K. Ramadoss. He said the corporation should rejuvenate neglected temple tanks and lakes by diverting rain water into them.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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