Bhavanisagar storage continues to fall as inflow drops, farmers voice concern over water availability

Chennai, June 22 (IANS) Water levels in major reservoirs across Tamil Nadu’s Erode district continued to decline on Monday, with the inflow into the Bhavanisagar dam dropping sharply to just 76 cusecs, raising fresh concerns among farmers dependent on the reservoir for irrigation.

Bhavanisagar, one of Tamil Nadu’s most important irrigation reservoirs, supplies water to vast agricultural areas in Erode, Tirupur, and Karur districts.

Officials said the dam’s storage has been steadily falling as water releases continue to exceed the volume of incoming water.

According to the latest data, the water level in the dam stood at 54.86 feet on Monday morning. While the reservoir received only 76 cusecs of inflow, authorities released a total of 520 cusecs to meet irrigation and drinking water requirements.

Of the total discharge, 420 cusecs were released through the Thadapalli-Arakankottai canal system to support irrigation activities in the command areas. Another 100 cusecs were discharged into the Bhavani River to ensure drinking water supply for several towns and villages dependent on the river system.

The declining storage in Bhavanisagar has once again brought attention to concerns raised by farmers regarding the diversion of water to the Athikadavu-Avinashi project.

Farmer organisations had recently expressed apprehension that additional water diversion could affect irrigation prospects if reservoir levels continue to remain low during the crucial cultivation season.

Meanwhile, other major reservoirs in the Erode district also reported reduced storage levels. The water level in the Gunderipallam dam was recorded at 18.52 feet, while the Perumpallam dam stood at 21.68 feet. The Varattupallam dam registered a water level of 15.49 feet, reflecting the overall decline in water availability across the district. Agricultural stakeholders said the situation warrants close monitoring, particularly as Bhavanisagar plays a critical role in sustaining cultivation across more than 2.47 lakh acres of farmland in Erode, Tirupur, and Karur districts.

Farmers noted that adequate rainfall in the catchment areas of the reservoir is essential to improve inflows, replenish storage and ensure sufficient water availability for future irrigation requirements.

With monsoon activity yet to significantly boost inflows into the reservoir system, farmers remain hopeful that widespread rainfall in the coming weeks will help reverse the declining trend and provide relief to the region’s agricultural sector.

–IANS

aal/vd