Water was released into Kalingarayan canal on Friday for raising first crop in its ayacut of 15,743 acres.
State Environment Minister Thoppu N.D. Venkatachalam initiated the water release in the presence of District Collector S. Prabakar; MPs S. Selvakumara Chinnaiyan and V. Sathyabama; MLAs K.V. Ramalingam, R.N. Kittusamy, and B.G. Narayanan; and Erode Mayor P. Malliga Paramasivam.
On the first day, water release of 200 cusecs was recorded.
A full-level flow to the extent of 584 cusecs has been envisaged.
Subject to availability, a total of 6,484 million cubic feet water is expected to be utilised for irrigating the first crop.
Water level in Bhavani Sagar Dam was 18.28 tmc, with an inflow of 2,163 cusecs on Friday, the Environment Minister said.
Adequate stock
There was adequate stock of seeds of various paddy varieties: 365 metric tonnes with the Agriculture Department and 85 tonnes with the Cooperative Department. Likewise, there was enough stock of fertilizers as well, the Minister said.
