Pain and joy: Nagai tail-end gets water, Pudukkai yet to see flow

Farmers in Vedaranyam block in Nagapattinam, the tail end part of the district, are dependent on rains and out of 10,000 ha cultivable land, more than 50 per cent rely on tank irrigation.

In a major relief, the water released from Mettur has started reaching the tail-end regions in the past couple of days. The flow has also recharged key water bodies like Valavanaru, Arhichandra river, Milliyaru, Adapparu and Sakkiliyan channel. Though the water has reached the entry point of most of these waterbodies, it is expected to reach the tail-end in another day.

Meanwhile, cultivation has commenced in around 2,000 ha in the region with CR 1009 variety paddy that could withstand flooding as well as drought condition. 

“There are 36 PWD-maintained major water bodies and over 1,000 minor waterbodies in the tail-end region in the district and farmers have started works in their lands since the water has started to enter the region. Still, the discharge needs to be stepped up to cater to the entire region and help prevent the saline condition as the area is close to the coastal belt,” said Ambikapathi, a local farmer.

He said farmers from Maharajapuram in Thalainayar staged a protest on Sunday and thereafter, the next day water was released and it has started flowing into the region.

However, farmers in Pudukkottai are dejected as they are yet to receive water. The tail-end region from Karambakudi to Manamelkudi has around 60,000-acre cultivable land for which 138 water bodies are available to cater to irrigation needs. Water reached around 10 tanks, including the villages like Neduvasal, Karambaikadu, Merpanaikadu, Neivathali, Ayingudi, Nagudi and Thiruappadi. However, it stopped within a few hours. Because of this, farmers are confused whether to commence cultivation or not.