Paddy on 300 acres wilting as no water released in Third, Fourth Reaches of Manimuthar Dam, farmers complain

Paddy on 300 acres wilting as no water released in Third, Fourth Reaches of Manimuthar Dam, farmers complain

Paddy raised on over 300 acres in Moolaikaraipatti area is wilting rapidly as no water was released from the Manimuthar Dam’s Third and Fourth Reaches, the agriculturists complained during the farmers’ grievances redress meet held at the Collectorate here on Friday.

“If water is not released in the Third and the Fourth Reaches immediately, we cannot save the paddy,” the farmers prayed.

Raising the issue in the meeting, farmer Selvakumar of Moolaikkaraipatti said the agriculturists who had raised paddy in Moolaikaraipatti area had appealed to the district administration to release water in the Third and Fourth Reaches of Manimuthar Dam to save the standing crop. As only 10 cusecs of water was released in these two Reaches, more than 30 irrigation tanks under the Third Reach were bone dry now, leaving the paddy growers in the lurch.

“We are haplessly witnessing the paddy wilting on 300 acres. Since all irrigation tanks under the First and the Second Reaches of Manimuthar Dam now have more than 80% water, District Collector should order the release of water in the Third and the Fourth Reaches to save the wilting paddy and the farmers,” said Mr. Selvakumar.

The Public Works Department officials replied that steps would be taken immediately to fill-up at least 50% water in the irrigation tanks in the Third and the Fourth Reaches.

Farmers raising their grievance at farmers grievance day meeting held on Friday. | Photo Credit: A. SHAIKMOHIDEEN