With severe drought prevailing in the district various farmers association has urged the district administration to release water from Bhavanisagar Reservoir. However, a few farmers associations wanted the water release date to be postponed as the district has been receiving rainfall.
Farmers in the district were demanding release of water from the reservoir for saving the standing crops. Since, various parts of the district rainfall over the past week, the date for water release are yet to be finalised. Collector S. Prabhakar chaired a meeting at the Collectorate with representatives of these associations here on Monday.
C. Nallasamy, president of Keel Bhavani Vivasayigal Nala Sangam said that due to severe drought, thousands of coconut trees had withered and also severe drinking water shortage prevails. He said that the areas did not receive rainfall and drought continues to prevail. Since, the 8 tmc water is available, he urged the administration to release water from September 7.
Subi. Thalapathy of Thadapali – Arapankottai Pasana Sabai said water was not released in the canal for the past two years and hence they could not carryout agriculture. He said that based on the inflow at the reservoir, water can be released to Kodiveri dam from October. But he said that currently farmers do not need water in the area. V.M. Velayudham, president of Kalingarayan Pasana Sabai urged the district administration to immediately release water for protecting the standing crops.
However, members of Tamil Nadu Farmers Association president Periyasamy and a few others wanted the water release to be postponed for 15 days due to rains in the district. The collector said that the administration had earlier recommended for release of water from September. However, due to rains, a few associations wanted the water release to be postponed. Hence, the opinion of the associations will be taken up with the State government, he added.
