CM orders opening of three dams for irrigation in south

However, the announcement was not welcomed by a section of ryots, who demanded additional quantum of water to be released besides extending the period of water supply. They claimed that the water which has been supplied would not reach all areas under cultivation.

Speaking to DT Next, KP Perumal, treasurer, Tamil Nadu Farmers Union, said that the ‘Kar’ cultivation commences in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts in June and is the most important cropping season in the southernmost districts.

According to him, the water should be supplied in the first week of June and should last for at least 120 days but now its release date has been postponed by a month. The situation has been made worse due to the short duration of water release.

In total, there are more than 46,000 acres of crops under cultivation in Thoothukudi district. The water supplied would not be sufficient even for 10,000 acres of land, said Perumal.

Another farmer, Ganesan of Srivaikuntam, said that paddy and banana are the main crops cultivated in Thoothukudi district and both are water intensive crops. Stating that there was good monsoon rain this season, resulting in the water level in Papanasam dam crossing 90 feet in June, Ganesan said the government delayed releasing the water.

“Farmers here are already having a difficult time as the past two cropping seasons have failed. The reduced quantum of water for this season will affect us further,” he added.