Rare Flow of Luni River Brings Joy and Hope to Barmer Locals

The Luni River, often dry in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, saw a rare flow after continuous rain. The locals celebrated this with song, dance, and prayers to the river, highlighting its cultural and practical significance. Experts emphasized the need for plans to preserve this vital water resource.

The arid land of Barmer was a scene of jubilant celebration as the Luni River flowed through the region for the first time in years. Following three days of continuous rain, the river reached Samdari town on Wednesday, a rare occurrence that locals marked with traditional song, dance, and prayers.

Known as 'Maruganga,' the river originates from the Aravali ranges in Ajmer and traverses nine districts before merging into Gujarat's Rann of Kutch. Despite heavy rains, it rarely reaches Barmer, underscoring the uniqueness of this recent event.

Residents emphasized the river's deep cultural and practical significance. They gathered to worship and offer traditional scarves to the river, while experts like Mahendra Singh Tanwar from INTACH noted the river's existential threats due to negligence. Local efforts to preserve and utilize this resource could transform it into a boon for farmers and raise underground water levels.

(With inputs from agencies.)