Delta ryots seek daily release of 15,000 cusecs till July 15

Thiruchirapalli

The water released from Mettur Dam on June 12 reached Kallanai and it was released subsequently for cultivation on June 16 which almost reached the tail end parts of the Delta. But, the farmers said, since the quantum of water was comparatively less, it could only help to recharge the main rivers, including the Cauvery, Kollidam, Kallanai canal and Vennaru and could not flow into the irrigation canals which failed to support the farmers who depend on river irrigation. So they are in a dilemma to continue to take up irrigation after the preparatory works.

The farmers said that the full capacity of the Cauvery beyond Kallanai is 10,000 cusecs while it is 9,000 cusecs in Vennaru and 4,000 cusecs in Kallanai canal (GA canal) and they need at least between 70 to 80 per cent of water release which would ensure the flow into the irrigation canals which would be useful for the farmers. To ensure free flow into the irrigation canals, it needed at least 18,000 cusecs of water to be released from Mettur. However, only 10,000 cusecs were released till Wednesday and it was stepped up into 18,000 cusecs on Wednesday night, but again reduced to 10,000 cusecs on Thursday.

From the Kallanai, on an average only 4,000 cusecs were released to both Cauvery and Vennaru and 1,500 cusecs to the Kallanai canal. So the water flow in these rivers has been too slow that could not recharge the irrigation canals even after 15 days of the release of water, the farmers complained.

According to Cauvery Farmers Protection Association Deputy Secretary P Sukumaran, the water from river sources fail to reach the irrigation canals. Around 80 per cent of irrigation canals from the Cauvery and Kudamuritti rivers which are the main sources, have not received water so far and so the kuruvai cultivation is debatable, he said. As planting of saplings are yet to be taken, farmers demand an average release of 15,000 cusecs daily till July 15 which would ensure uninterrupted cultivation. Otherwise, the target of 3.50 lakh acre kuruvai cultivation would be a doubtful one, they said.