Farmers in Vellakoil-Kangayam area are questioning the Water Resources Department's plan to release water for four wettings over 120 days starting August 18, citing concerns about the duration and calculation of the release period.
Farmers in the Vellakoil-Kangayam belt, situated at the tail-end of the Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP) irrigation canal, have raised concerns about the Water Resources Department's announcement to release water for four wettings over a 120-day period starting from August 18.
The official announcement states that 8,000 million cubic feet of water will be released in phases at intervals for the four wettings until December 16. However, farmers are questioning the rationale behind this schedule, arguing that the two weeks at the beginning and end of the release period, when the flow will be significantly reduced, should not be included in the 120-day duration.
Farmers point out that in previous years, the department had released water for four wettings over a 140-day period. They are now demanding accountability from the authorities regarding this change in duration.
As of Friday, the water level in Thirumoorthy Dam stood at 53.33 feet against the full reservoir level (FRL) of 60 feet. The storage was 1,457 mcft against the capacity of 1,744 mcft, with an inflow of 1,105 cusecs. Farmers believe the dam is expected to approach its maximum storage level in the coming days.
The water levels in other dams in the system are also encouraging. Sholayar Dam was at 160.02 feet, just above its FRL of 160 feet, holding its full capacity of 5,046 mcft. Parambikulam Dam stood at 70.42 feet against its FRL of 72 feet, with a storage of 13,046 mcft against its capacity of 13,408 mcft.
According to the official communication, the release of 8,000 mcft into the PAP canal over the 120-day duration takes into account transmission losses. This water release is expected to facilitate cultivation across 94,201 acres in various blocks of Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts, including Pollachi, Kinathukadavu, Sulur, Udumalpet, Tiruppur, Kangayam, and Dharapuram.
While farmers are optimistic about the continuity of water supply due to the high levels in feeder dams, they continue to question the revised duration of the release schedule and seek clarification from the Water Resources Department.
The official announcement states that 8,000 million cubic feet of water will be released in phases at intervals for the four wettings until December 16. However, farmers are questioning the rationale behind this schedule, arguing that the two weeks at the beginning and end of the release period, when the flow will be significantly reduced, should not be included in the 120-day duration.
Farmers point out that in previous years, the department had released water for four wettings over a 140-day period. They are now demanding accountability from the authorities regarding this change in duration.
As of Friday, the water level in Thirumoorthy Dam stood at 53.33 feet against the full reservoir level (FRL) of 60 feet. The storage was 1,457 mcft against the capacity of 1,744 mcft, with an inflow of 1,105 cusecs. Farmers believe the dam is expected to approach its maximum storage level in the coming days.
The water levels in other dams in the system are also encouraging. Sholayar Dam was at 160.02 feet, just above its FRL of 160 feet, holding its full capacity of 5,046 mcft. Parambikulam Dam stood at 70.42 feet against its FRL of 72 feet, with a storage of 13,046 mcft against its capacity of 13,408 mcft.
According to the official communication, the release of 8,000 mcft into the PAP canal over the 120-day duration takes into account transmission losses. This water release is expected to facilitate cultivation across 94,201 acres in various blocks of Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts, including Pollachi, Kinathukadavu, Sulur, Udumalpet, Tiruppur, Kangayam, and Dharapuram.
While farmers are optimistic about the continuity of water supply due to the high levels in feeder dams, they continue to question the revised duration of the release schedule and seek clarification from the Water Resources Department.