Nagapattinam, September 30 (Daily Kiran) : Farmers in the Thalainayar region of Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, are facing a crisis as water shortages threaten approximately 11,424 acres of samba rice crops. Despite the release of water from the Mettur Dam about a month ago, adequate irrigation has not reached the fields, leaving recently sown rice seeds parched under extreme heat.
The irrigation in these fields primarily depends on the Harichandra River. Farmers report that the seeds planted around 20 days ago have not received sufficient water. Even if water arrives now, only 50 to 60 percent of the seeds are likely to germinate and produce a viable crop.
With just 15 days remaining in the scheduled water release period, farmers fear a second consecutive crop failure this year. Previously, they had lost their Kuruvai rice crop due to similar water shortages.
Ramathanan M., a farmer who sowed medium-duration rice varieties across 16 acres, indicated that the lack of water has left the fields looking barren. He noted that the rivers leading to Thalainayar and Vedaranyam are experiencing very low water levels, while many branch canals remain dry.
The Mettur Dam was opened on September 1, 81 days later than the normal date of June 12. Following the government’s announcement of a 45-day water release, farmers began direct sowing of medium-duration samba rice varieties. However, they argue that this duration is insufficient for crop maturation.
The situation has worsened due to low rainfall, particularly in the irrigation areas at the district’s periphery. Farmers claim that only a few hundred cusecs of water have reached the district, leaving the Thalainayar region with inadequate supply.
This water scarcity is exacerbating farmers’ financial struggles. After losing their Kuruvai crop, many had taken loans from private lenders to start samba cultivation. Farmers have also expressed concerns about the difficulty of obtaining agricultural loans from banks and cooperatives. They were informed by village administrative officers that an Adangal certificate could only be issued after crops are successfully grown.
Meanwhile, officials from the Water Resources Department announced that approximately 700 cusecs of water is being released from Thattankovil in Thiruvarur and is expected to reach the Harichandra River by Wednesday night. However, farmers fear this water will only be available for about a day and a half, as other canals also require water.
Farmers warn that such a brief water release will barely allow for irrigation of half the area, risking significant losses for thousands of acres of standing or recently sown samba crops. They worry that saving their crops before the scheduled water supply period ends may prove impossible.
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