Drought deepens in TN’s Namakkal as dry lakes leave farmers staring at crop losses

Namakkal, July 12 (IANS) 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

aal/dpb