Drought deepens in TN's Namakkal as dry lakes leave farmers staring at crop losses
Namakkal, July 12
An acute water shortage has gripped the Kumarapalayam region of Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district, leaving farmers struggling to save their crops as delayed monsoon rains and the non-release of water from the Mettur dam have pushed the area towards a severe agricultural crisis.
More than 20 irrigation lakes in Kumarapalayam, Pallipalayam and Veppadai have dried up completely, depriving thousands of acres of farmland of their primary source of irrigation.
With no significant rainfall and no canal water reaching the region, cultivation activities have come to a near standstill, raising fears of widespread crop failure and heavy financial losses.
Agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy, with paddy, turmeric, banana and sugarcane being the major crops cultivated across the region. Many farmers had already invested heavily in preparing their fields and purchasing seeds, saplings and fertilisers, largely through borrowed funds, expecting a normal irrigation season. However, continued water scarcity has left several fields uncultivated, while crops planted earlier are beginning to wilt.
The prolonged dry spell has also severely affected groundwater availability, further worsening the situation for farming families. In several villages, the drying up of irrigation tanks has created concerns not only about agriculture but also about the availability of drinking water for residents and livestock.
Farmers fear that if water is not released soon or adequate rainfall is not received in the coming weeks, they could suffer substantial crop losses, making it increasingly difficult to repay agricultural loans and recover the investments made for the current cultivation season.
Many are worried that another failed season could force small and marginal farmers deeper into debt and threaten their livelihoods.
The crisis has prompted growing concern among local residents and social activists, who have urged the Tamil Nadu government to intervene immediately. They have sought urgent field inspections by agriculture and revenue officials to assess the extent of crop damage and the deteriorating water situation.
Farmers and local organisations have also called for a comprehensive relief package, including financial assistance for affected cultivators, emergency irrigation measures, and steps to improve water availability until normal rainfall resumes.
They have stressed that timely government intervention is essential to prevent further agricultural losses and protect the livelihoods of hundreds of farming families dependent on the region's fragile irrigation system.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Namakkal is known for turmeric and banana cultivation. This drought isn't just about this season—last year the monsoon was also weak. The state govt should declare it a drought-hit district immediately so farmers can get compensation. My heart goes out to those whose banana saplings are wilting. We need better water management, desilting of lakes, and cloud seeding experiments. More than 20 lakes dry? That's a red alert for the entire district! 🌾💔
This is a classic case of poor water governance. We have the Mettur dam, but water is not being released. The TN govt keeps fighting with Karnataka over Cauvery water, but what about the farmers on the ground? Kumarapalayam and Pallipalayam farmers should not have to beg for water every summer. It's 2024, and we still rely on monsoon whims. Time for real agricultural reforms—subsidized solar pumps, check dams, and micro-irrigation. The CM should visit these villages and see the parched fields himself.
I've visited Namakkal for work. The district has huge potential for animal husbandry and poultry, but if the irrigation tanks are dry, even the livestock will suffer. The article rightly points out the drinking water crisis. The TN government should activate the emergency relief fund and provide tanker water to the worst-hit villages. Also, the PWD should start desilting these 20+ lakes now instead of waiting for a court order. Every rupee spent now will save lakhs in crop insurance payouts later.
I'm from a farming family near Erode, and this story hits home. The Mettur dam water is life for these regions. Why aren't we using the Kalingarayan canal properly? Also, many farmers are growing water-intensive crops like sugarcane in a water-scarce zone. The government should promote crop diversification and give subsidies for millets or pulses that
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