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Key Points

Farmers in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, are facing severe drought conditions and have appealed for water from the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project to be released to the nearly dry Vattamalai Dam. This dam is crucial as it irrigates 6,000 acres of farmland across 30 villages. Although the PAP reservoirs are filling up, existing regulations prioritize water release to the Uppar Dam first. Farmers hope for timely intervention to salvage their crops and livelihoods.

Key Points: Tiruppur Farmers Urge PAP Water Release to Vattamalai Dam

  • Farmers in Tiruppur request water from PAP for Vattamalai Dam
  • Vattamalai Dam serves 6,000 acres across 30 villages
  • Current PAP reservoirs are filling up, unlike Vattamalai
  • Priority regulations favor Uppar Dam before Vattamalai
2 min read

Farmers of Tiruppur, TN appeal for release of PAP water to Vattamalai dam amid drought crisis

Tiruppur farmers appeal for Parambikulam-Aliyar Project water amid drought, seeking relief for Vattamalai Dam.

"There is no water even for drinking and cattle rearing. Our crops are withering. - Krishnamoorthy P.K."

Chennai, July 5

Amid worsening drought conditions in parts of Tiruppur district, farmers have urged authorities to release water from the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) to the Vattamalai Dam, which supports irrigation and drinking water supply for several villages.

Located in Vellakovil, the Vattamalai Dam irrigates nearly 6,000 acres of farmland across 30 villages.

With a modest storage capacity of 268 million cubic feet (mcft), the dam has been left nearly dry this year due to poor rainfall, leaving farmers and villagers in distress.

Krishnamoorthy P.K., a farmer from Veeranampalayam, said the situation is becoming dire.

"There is no water even for drinking and cattle rearing. Our crops are withering. At the same time, due to continuous rains, PAP reservoirs are filling up. If excess water is released from PAP dams to the sea, it would be a wasted opportunity. We request that some of that water be diverted to the Vattamalai Dam to help us survive," he said.

Echoing the demand, V. Sudheer Kumar, a farmer from Kattunaickenpalayam, pointed out that water distribution under the PAP scheme has been completed up to the third zone.

"Work is underway to desilt the irrigation canals before releasing water to the fourth zone, and that may take another month. During this period, authorities should consider supplying water to Vattamalai Dam. We have already submitted a petition to the district administration," Kumar said.

Medical K. Paramasivam, Chairperson of the PAP Planning Committee, said that the Parambikulam Dam, a key reservoir in the PAP network, has not yet reached its full storage capacity.

"It still requires an additional three thousand million cubic feet (tmc) of water. As of now, we cannot release water to Vattamalai Dam," Paramasivam said.

He noted that existing government regulations require that priority be given to the Uppar Dam before any release to Vattamalai.

"If there is heavy rainfall in the coming days and if the release to the fourth zone is delayed due to ongoing dredging, then water could be sent first to the Uppar Dam and subsequently to Vattamalai. The final decision will be made after further review and inter-departmental consultations," he said.

Farmers, meanwhile, remain hopeful that timely action will avert further damage to their crops and livelihoods.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why can't we have better water management systems in place? Every year it's the same story - some areas flood while others drought. The authorities need long-term solutions, not just temporary fixes.
A
Arjun K
As someone from Coimbatore, I've seen how crucial Vattamalai dam is for the region. The officials should consider humanitarian needs over bureaucratic procedures. People's lives are at stake!
S
Sarah B
While I understand the farmers' desperation, we must also respect the scientific water management protocols. Maybe NGOs can help arrange water tankers as an interim solution?
K
Karthik V
This is why we need more rainwater harvesting projects in Tamil Nadu. Our ancestors had brilliant water systems - we should learn from them instead of depending only on dams.
M
Meera T
The district administration should call an emergency meeting with all stakeholders. When PAP has excess water, it's criminal to let it flow to sea while people suffer. Jai Kisan! 🙏

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