TNML seeks desilting of waterbodies

“Tamil Nadu’s water needs are fulfilled by North East monsoon rains and as there is only a month left for commencement of North East monsoon rains, the government should desilt all the water bodies in the state to avoid the problem of water shortage for next six months,” said Mustafa in a statement.

He also said that there are 39,202 lakes in the state and 13,710 lakes are under Water Resources Organisation of the state government. A total of 5.4 lakh acres of farmlands in the state are irrigated by these water bodies but as rains failed last year most water bodies went dry and farmers suffered without carrying out farming.

However, this year there was rain in South West monsoon season and water bodies in Nilgirs and Coimbatore districts have water. However, the water would not be sufficient to manage water supply during the lean periods and if the government fails people will once again have to carry empty pots to fetch water.

Though the government claims that desilting works are carried out through Kudimaramath project there are reports that works are not done properly and there was corruption involved. The government should ensure that the desilting works are carried out at the earliest without any corruption, said Mustafa.