Dindigul district received excess rainfall this year, resulting in about 60 per cent of rainfed tanks getting filled up. Against the average rainfall of 771 mm till November, the district received 877.77 mm, the Collector, T. N. Hariharan, told farmers at the monthly grievance redressal meeting here on Friday.
However, against the average monsoon rainfall of 417.9 mm in October-December, the district registered 322.5 mm. The rainfall realised in October was 88.07 mm, against the average of 189.1 mm. But the rainfall in November was 233.71 mm, against the average of 163.8 mm. An excess rainfall of 41 mm was recorded so far against the annual rainfall of 836 mm. More rains were expected in the next one month, Mr. Hariharan said.
Among the 91, 488 wells in the district, 40 per cent had water that can be supplied for three hours and 30 per cent had enough water to maintain supply for two to three hours. About 60 per cent of the 2,065 rainfed tanks had water to their full capacity. Mr. Hariharan said that paddy planting had been taken up in a big way in Palani, Athoor, Nilakottai, Batlagundu and Dindigul areas, utilising the monsoon rains. Paddy had been planted in about 60 per cent of the targeted area using machines. He advised the farmers to take up rainfed cultivation as there was adequate stock of fertilizers and other inputs.
According to an official press release, those who participated in the meeting included A. M. Nagendran, District Revenue Officer, and N. Sampathkumar, Joint Director of Agriculture.
