Collector Shilpa Prabhakar Satish released water fom Papanasam dam on Wednesday following the announcement made by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in this connection on Tuesday.
Ms. Shilpa said the 600 cusecs of water being released from the reservoir in North Kodaimelazhagiyan, South Kodaimelazhagiyan, Nadhiyunni, Kannadiyan and Kodagan channels would be sustained until September 9, for just 20 days. Hence, 1,000 million cubic feet of water would be discharged collectively from Papanasam, Servalar and Manimuthar dams for saving banana crops, cattle and meeting drinking water requirements.
Sub-Collector of Cheranmahadevi P. Akash, MPs S. Gnanathiraviyam and S. Muthukaruppan, and MLA R. Murugaiah Pandian were present.
After a few days, release of water from Papanasam dam would be stopped and the Manimuthar dam would be opened until September 9, sources in Public Works Department said.
‘No need for it’
The untimely release of water has agitated the farmers. “There is no need for release water from the dams now as the farmers have not taken up ‘kar’ paddy cultivation this year owing to precarious water level in dams. Moreover, plantain cultivated in a few parts under Kannadiyan Channel have been done with water available in farm wells. Had the water release postponed to September 20, it might have helped the farmers to prepare the nursery for ‘pisanam’ paddy season. Following pressure exerted by a VIP from Ambasamudram area, with cultivable lands in this region, the State government has ordered release of water from the dams, which is going to be wasted. Besides the VIP, it will also benefit the soft drink manufacturing units solely depending on the Tamirabharani,” said P. Perumbadaiyar, State vice-president of Tamil Nadu Vivasaayigal Sangam.
However, Ms. Shilpa denied the charges saying Papanasam Dam had 3,545 mcft water and another spell of good inflow would force the officials to release surplus water. “We are taking only 50% of stored water over the next 20 days which will be replenished before southwest monsoon ends. We will have sufficient water for ‘pisanam’ season. Horticulture crops such as mango, banana, guava, amla, sapota, jack, acidline and coconut raised on 6,752 hectares alone are dependent on this water and all villages in four taluks rely on this water for the cattle. We have taken into account the rain forecast and hence we will not have a problem for ‘pisanam’ season,” reassured Ms. Shilpa.
