TN: Bhavanisagar dam water released for irrigation after farmers protest

Erode, Aug 16 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government has ordered the release of water from the Bhavanisagar dam into the Lower Bhavani Project canal system for 15 days, bringing relief to farmers who had been demanding an immediate decision on irrigation supplies.

Water is usually released from the dam on August 15 every year to support cultivation in areas served by the Lower Bhavani canal. However, uncertainty prevailed this year as the water level in the reservoir remained below 60 feet and inflow into the dam continued to be poor.

The state government had not announced its decision on the customary irrigation release until late Saturday, causing concern among farmers in Erode district. Cultivators feared that any further delay would affect standing crops and preparations for the next phase of agricultural operations.

Seeking the immediate release of water, farmers dependent on the Lower Bhavani irrigation system staged a sit-in protest near Erode. They urged the authorities to provide at least a limited supply to protect crops in areas facing an acute shortage.

Following the protest and representations from farmers, Erode District Collector Kandasamy issued a statement announcing a special irrigation arrangement.

According to the statement, water will be released from the Bhavanisagar dam for 15 days based on a report submitted by the Water Resources Department.

The supply is expected to benefit nearly 1,300 acres of farmland. Water will flow through the odd-numbered sluices of the Lower Bhavani Main Canal and the Chennasamudram distributary canal. Officials are expected to regulate the discharge carefully in view of the low storage level in the reservoir.

The announcement has provided temporary relief to farmers, though many continue to remain worried about the water situation during the remainder of the cultivation season. They have called for proper monitoring of the release to ensure that water reaches tail-end agricultural areas without being diverted or wasted.

The Bhavanisagar dam is a major irrigation source for large parts of Erode and neighbouring districts. Any decline in its storage level directly affects thousands of farming families dependent on the Lower Bhavani canal network.

Officials have appealed to farmers to use the available supply judiciously, as further releases will depend on rainfall in the catchment areas and improvement in inflow into the reservoir.

–IANS

aal/dpb