THODUPUZHA: Amid the scorching heat gripping the high ranges of Thodupuzha in Idukki district, a perennial well is turning out to be a wonder, quenching the thirst of an entire locality.
Nearly 250 members from 35 families are direct beneficiaries of the well’s bounty.
Thirty-five water pumps have been installed at the well located in Chilavu village, 20 kilometers from Thodupuzha town.
While the families pump water regularly from it, the nearly 12-metre deep well has never gone dry, nor has the water-level dropped below the pump intake. The locals call it the “well that never runs dry,” and attribute the special characteristic of the well to the kind heart of the man who donated the one cent of land where the well is situated for public good.
“This particular land located at Pattolimala Road in Chilavu was once owned by Hassan Moulavi, an Arabic Teacher. The families in his neighbourhood used to draw water from this well. But 10 years back, Hassan sold his property and moved to another place. But considering the fact that there are 30 odd families depending upon the well for water, as other wells and water bodies in the area used to dry up in summer, he sold the property excluding the one cent where the well is situated,” said Basheer, a close relative of Hassan.
Even a big pond next to the well has dried up, but this well still has adequate water. “Maybe it is because of the kind heart of the man who donated the property that the well keeps getting recharged naturally during the summer,” said Salih, another person in the neighbourhood.
The water scarcity in the area is increasing with each passing year.
Though there are wells in almost all houses, all of them have dried up. This well has been the only solace to the villagers for the past 15 years. The motors were connected by the families at their own expenses five years back, as is the case with the pipes laid.
However no scientific study has been conducted so far, exploring the peculiar nature of the well.
The reasons behind the phenomenon, if unearthed, may help in keeping alive the dried up water bodies.
