To enthuse the farmers in the Zone-3 of Parambikulam Aliyar Project area opt for second crop during the ongoing rabi season, the Public Works Department (Water Resources Organisation) released water from Thirumoorthy dam on Sunday.
PWD (WRO) officials told The Hindu that 6,809 million cubic feet of water would be released through Parambikulam Main Canal, Udumalpet Canal and High Level Canal to irrigate a total of 94,362 acres over four wetting cycles with each cycle lasting 17 days. There would be a gap of five to seven days in between the various cycles. The water release would be benefiting the farmers in Udumalpet, Madathukulam, Dharapuram, Palladam, Tirupur and Kangayam taluks in Tirupur district and Pollachi and Sulur taluks in Coimbatore district.
The water level at the dam was 58.64 feet against the total of 60 feet at the time of opening shutters at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Joint Director of Agriculture P. Santhanakrishnan said that the department had suggested the farmers to opt for maize and pulses utilising the water released as the summer spells were fast approaching.
“These two crops can be harvested in shorter duration and are less water intensive. The farmers will have to depend entirely on the canal water as the district would not get any more rain prior to the summer season,” he pointed out.
