The Hindu Business Line : TN farmers' protest over water

MADURAI: With the Public Works Department stopping release of water for irrigation, grown-up standing crops in about 35,000 acres in the district are under the threat of loss, farmers have complained, as they attempted to picket traffic, at Vadipatti, near here, demanding release of water from Vaigai dam.

According to sources, the meagre storage, if released, would affect severely the supply of drinking water. It is pointed out that the available water is to be preserved to take care of city's drinking requirements and with the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the pressure is mounting up.

The PWD released water till January 25. Any further siphoning of water for irrigation, would bring an early water scarcity to the city. The sources agree that without further release of water, not more than 30 per cent of the crops served by well irrigation could be saved. The option for drawing water from Periyar dam for irrigation is not bright either since the storage could not suffice the irrigation needs. If water is not released, the crop loss would result in several crore of rupees, the sources added.

The farmers have threatened to organise a series of agitations, if water is not released immediately.