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Tamil Nadu Farmers Demand Extended Mettur Water Release to Save Delayed Samba Crop

Farmers in Tamil Nadu's Cauvery delta districts are urgently requesting the state government to extend water release from the Mettur dam beyond the usual January cutoff to February's end. Unprecedented delays in Samba paddy cultivation, caused by Cyclone Michaung and the northeast monsoon, have disrupted the entire agricultural cycle. With a cultivation target of 14 lakh acres and crops still in critical growth stages, farmers warn that stopping water now would devastate tail-end regions. They emphasize that continued water supply is essential to prevent massive crop losses, as harvesting, normally in January, may now extend into March.

Key Points: TN Farmers Seek Mettur Water Release Extension for Samba Crop

  • Cyclone Michaung delayed cultivation
  • 14 lakh acres Samba target at risk
  • Demand for 1.75 TMC water daily
  • Harvest may extend to March
2 min read

TN farmers seek extension of Mettur water release as Samba crop faces delay

Tamil Nadu farmers urge extension of Mettur dam water release until February end due to cyclone-induced delays in Samba paddy cultivation across the Cauvery delta.

"The samba crop is still in its critical stages... If the water supply is stopped now, tail-end regions will be worst affected. - P. Ramasamy, Farmer"

Tiruchy, Dec 29

Farmers across the Cauvery delta districts have urged the Tamil Nadu government to extend the release of water from the Mettur dam until the end of February, citing widespread delays in Samba paddy cultivation caused by adverse weather conditions and crop damage earlier this season.

Traditionally, water from the Mettur reservoir is released on June 12 every year for Kuruvai and Samba cultivation and is mandatorily stopped by the end of January.

However, farmers say the current agricultural cycle has been severely disrupted, making the usual schedule unviable.

According to farmers' representatives, at least 1.75 TMC of water is required every day to sustain the standing Samba crop.

This year, the total Samba cultivation target stood at around 14 lakh acres. Of this, Tiruvarur district alone accounts for nearly 3.60 lakh acres, followed by Thanjavur with 3.26 lakh acres, Nagapattinam with 2.55 lakh acres, and Tiruchy with around 1.50 lakh acres.

In addition, nearly 3 lakh acres have been brought under Thaladi cultivation across the delta region.

However, the northeast monsoon and the impact of Cyclone Michaung caused extensive crop damage, forcing farmers to delay land preparation and transplantation. As a result, the sowing schedule was pushed back significantly, leading to a corresponding delay in the water requirement cycle.

"Due to the prolonged rains and delays in assessing crop damage, farmers could not begin cultivation on time. Naturally, the demand for water has also shifted," said P. Ramasamy, a farmer from Tiruvarur district.

He said that while water is normally released from Mettur on June 12 and stopped by January 28, this year's situation is different.

"The samba crop is still in its critical stages. Harvesting, which usually begins in January, may extend till March. If the water supply is stopped now, tail-end regions will be the worst affected," he said.

Farmers have therefore appealed to the state government and the Water Resources Department to extend the water release at least until the end of February, stressing that such a move is essential to safeguard standing crops and prevent large-scale losses across the delta.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Heartbreaking to read. We in cities complain about vegetable prices, but do we ever think of the struggles behind each grain? The state must act swiftly. A flexible approach is needed for farming, not rigid dates.
A
Arjun K
While I sympathize with the farmers, we also need to think about water management for the coming summer. The government should find a balanced solution—maybe a shorter extension with strict usage guidelines? 🤔
S
Suresh O
My family is from Thanjavur. The delay is real. The crop is still young in many fields. Stopping water now will ruin thousands of families. Hope the CM intervenes. #SaveTNfarmers
M
Michael C
Reading this from the US. It's a stark reminder of how climate change is disrupting agricultural cycles globally. Adaptation is key. The authorities need to support the farmers through this transition period.
K
Kavya N
The Cauvery water dispute makes this even more sensitive. But humanitarian concern should come first. These farmers have already suffered crop damage. Denying water now would be a double blow. 🙏

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