Political situation may delay water release, farmers of Madurai district worried

MADURAI: The political events unfurling in the state has left nearly 50,000 farmers of Madurai district worried as they feel water release for single-crop area amounting to 1.05 lakh acres may be delayed. However, public works department (PWD) officials are optimistic that water may be released this week for irrigation of single-crop areas.
Having undergone consecutive three years of drought and crop loss, the farming community in Madurai has decided to abandon kuruvai (short-term) paddy crop this year.Instead, they have come up with the proposal of carrying out single-crop paddy cultivation in both double-crop and single-crop areas with an interval of a few weeks.
According to this arrangement, water was released for double-crop areas on September 5 unlike June 1 which is the usual schedule. Thus cultivation of 45,000 acres of paddy commenced in Madurai North and Vadipatti taluks. As requested by farmers earlier, the water for single-crop areas in Thirumangalam, Melur and Madurai North taluks should have been released on October 1 and district administration had given an assurance in this regard. However, with the sudden turn of events like change of chief minister and protests over conviction of Jayalalithaa, farmers worried about a possible delay in water release.
M Murugan, president of Periyar Basin Farmers Association, said they are quite worried about the situation. "As planned, the water should have been released on October 1 but PWD officials say water may be released shortly. We are doubtful with current political situation where lack of strong leadership in helm of affairs may delay decision making. If the water release is delayed, it will affect 50,000 farmers and 70,000 agricultural labourers since the harvest will be delayed till February and suffer damages without adequate water then," he said.
Expecting water release, they have raised seedlings and they may suffer damages to seedlings if release is delayed, he said. R Arulpragasam, a farming community leader from Thuyaneri village said that cultivation in double crop areas to which water was released earlier is in planting stage. "The monsoon also appears dicey and inflow to dams is declining due to lack of adequate rains in catchment areas. Situation appears scary to us," he said.
PWD officials said they are expecting clearance for water release this week. The dam level though not very handsome could be managed since northeast monsoon may set in shortly. "We have already sent the proposal to state government and expecting the order in coming days," a PWD official from Periyar Basin Division said.
Having faced consecutive three years drought and crop loss, the farming community in Madurai district has decided to abandon Kuruvai (short-term) paddy crop this year. Instead they have come up with the proposal of carrying out single crop paddy cultivation in both double crop and single crop areas with an interval of few weeks. According to this arrangement, water was released for double crop areas on September 5 unlike June 1 of usual schedule. Thus cultivation of 45,000 acres of paddy commenced in Madurai North and Vadipatti taluks. As requested by farmers earlier, the water for single crop areas of 1.05 lakh acres in Thirumangalam, Melur and Madurai North taluks should have been released on October 1 and district administration has assured farmers in this regard. Unfortunately the sudden turn of events like change in government and protests over release of former chief minister, Jayalalithaa prolonging; has affected the earlier plan and farmers are scared of possible delay in water release due to political development.
M Murugan, President of Periyar Basin Farmers Association says that they quite worried about single crop cultivation. "As planned, the water should have been released on October 1 but Public Works Department officials say that water may be released shortly. We are doubtful with current political situation where lack of strong leadership in helm of affairs may delay decision making. If the water release is delayed, it will affect 50,000 farmers and 70,000 agricultural labourers since the harvest will be delayed till February and suffer damages without adequate water then", he explained. Expecting water release, they have raised seedlings and they may suffer damages to seedlings if release is delayed, he said. R Arulpragasam, a farming community leader from Thuyaneri village said that cultivation in double crop areas to which water was released earlier is in planting stage. "The monsoon also appears dicey and inflow to dams is declining due to lack of adequate rains in catchment areas. Situation appears scary to us", he said.
Public Works Department sources on the other hand said that they are expecting the nod of state government in this week. The dam level though not very handsome could be managed since North East monsoon may set in shortly, they said. "We have already sent the proposal to state government and expecting the order in coming days", a PWD official from Periyar Basin Division said.
Single crop in crisis
Delay in releasing water will affect 1.05 lakh single crop areas in Madurai North, Thirumangalam and Melur taluks
The delay will affect 50,000 farmers and another 70,000 agricultural labourers depending on the season
Water from Vaigai dam was released on September 5 for double crop area of 45,000 acres and cultivation has reached the state of planting
Lack of rains in catchment areas and declining dam levels cause concern to the farming community
Dam levels on Sunday
Periyar - 127.80 ft with total capacity of 4223 mcft. The inflow was 737 cusecs and 1,452 cusecs released
Vaigai - 44.72 ft with total capacity of 1,374 mcft with inflow of 1,559 cusecs and 960 released in which 900 cusecs are irrigation of double crop areas and 60 cusecs for drinking water needs of Madurai city
Rain: 16 mm at Shanmuganathi, 10 mm at Uthamapalayam, 5 mm at Gudalur and 4 mm at Thekkady. No major rainfall at catchment areas of Periyar and Vaigai dams on Saturday night