THENI
Public Works Department officials stopped releasing water from Vaigai dam to Melur and Kallanthiri areas in Madurai district on Tuesday.
After seven days of water release, they also reduced the discharge for irrigating the first crop in Madurai and Dindigul districts from 1,860 cusecs to 960 cusecs.
Farmers in Melur and nearby areas had already appealed to authorities to extend the release for 14 days as seven days of water release would not suffice to recharge tanks and improve groundwater table. But the release was stopped as per a government order, sources said.
A section of farmers in Dindigul district had also appealed to the PWD officials to release water to recharge Pudhukulam tank at Siddhargal Natham.
Revenue Minister R.B. Udayakumar on November 21 released 200 cusecs of water into Tirumangalam Main Channel to meet the drinking water needs of Tirumangalam, Melur and nearby areas in Madurai district by opening the sluice gates in Vaigai Main Channel in Peranai.
He also said that water would be released only for seven days to cater to the drinking water needs of Tirumangalam, Melur, Kallanthiri, Vikkiramangalam, Kodikulam, Ayanakulam, Kuzhayapadi, Kuppanampatti, Mettupatti, Ariyapatti, Uchapatti, Thidiyan and Sindhipatti.
