Farmers aggrieved over lake breach off ECR

The water that gushed out of the lake inundated agriculture land, affecting the livelihood of the local farmers. The 352-acre lake located near Seiyur at Kodukkalur irrigated nearly 1,000 acres of farmland belonging to local villagers from Seiyur, Kodukkalur and Sunamedu villages in its vicinity. 

According to local residents, the sluice gate that is used to control the flow of water into and out of the lake, was first built in 1966. It was later renovated on 2015. 

Earlier this week, the sluice broke, emptying the water it contained. Villagers alerted the Public Works Department and revenue officials, who rushed to the spot and tried to stop the flow of water. Farmers alleged that sluice gate was leaking right after the renovation work was completed two years ago. 

According to them, the PWD and revenue officials were alerted regarding the issue several times for the past two years. However, the officials failed to take any step to repair the sluice. 

Now that all the water has been wasted, the farmers said they were uncertain as to how to deal with the irrigation requirement till the onset of monsoon. When contacted, a PWD official from Maduranthakam claimed that the sluice was strong enough. He maintained that there was only minimal amount of leakage. 

“We suspect that it might have been damaged by a miscreant,” said the official, adding that the department would undertake works to repair the sluice soon.