No water for irrigation in Bhavanisagar dam, WRD tells Erode farmers

Farmers were told that due to poor storage in the dam, only drinking water needs could be served; Chief Engineer requested farmers to cooperate with the government at this dicult time

Members of various farmers’ associations who met the Chief Engineer (CE) of the Water Resources Department (WRD) of Coimbatore Region on Monday, April 22, 2024, were informed that water available in the Bhavanisagar dam could only serve the drinking water needs of people, and ruled out water release for irrigation.

Though farmers have been demanding the release of water from the dam into the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal for the •fth wetting schedule, water release was stopped on April 3 due to poor storage in the dam.

On Monday, o—ce-bearers of Keel Bhavani Murai Neer Pasana Vivasaigal Kootamaippu and Keel Bhavani Ayacut Nila Urimaiyalargal

Sangam met the CE at his o—ce. The CE explained to the farmers that given the current storage level of 3.54 tmc ft, water could not be released for irrigation. He said details of drinking water requirements and storage in the dam were discussed with the Erode Collector and the Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board every day and priority is given to drinking water supply.

The CE told the farmers that water could not be obtained from Kundah Hydro reservoirs in The Nilgiris under any circumstances, as the two major drinking water projects in Coimbatore

and one in Tiruppur would then face problems. Also, an increase in temperature and water evaporation have contributed to the water shortage, he said.

The CE told the farmers that obtaining water for irrigation from the reservoirs was impossible, and asked farmers to cooperate during these di—cult times.

Farmers agreed with him and assured him that they would cooperate in ful•lling the drinking water needs of the people.

At 4 p.m., the inœow was 26 cusecs, while the water level stood at 45.99 feet against the full reservoir level of 105 feet at the dam.

The storage was 3.54 tmc ft against the total capacity of 32.80 tmc ft. The discharge was 200 cusecs into the Bhavani river for drinking water purposes.

Urging the district administration to release water in the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal as per the government order, around 100 farmers of Keel Bhavani Pasana Pathukappu Iyakkam, a movement opposing the modernisation of the canal, staged a sit-inprotest on the Collectorate premises here on Monday.

The protesting farmers claimed that the State government had ordered the release of water in the canal until May 1, 2024, to irrigate 1,03,500 acres in Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur districts, but the Water Resources Department (WRD), citing poor water storage in the dam, stopped water release on April 3. The farmers further alleged that the WRD released water in the old ayacut areas without ensuring adequate water release for LBP ayacut areas, which is against Government Order No. 2367 dated September 21, 1964. They also accused the o—cials of poor water management, as a result of which their crops had withered.

Despite having met Minister

for Housing and Urban Development S. Muthusamy on April 20 seeking water release in the canal to save the crops the Minister on Monday informed them that there was not enough water to be released for irrigation. “Mismanagement of water had led to the current crisis,” they claimed and raised slogans. They staged a protest at the District Treasury building on the Collectorate’s premises where the o—ce of the Superintending Engineer of the WRD was located.

WRD o—cials held talks with the farmers, who said they would continue their protest till their demand is met.

Members of farmers associations with the Chief Engineer (third from left) of the Water Resources Department in Coimbatore on Monday.