The rain gods have answered their prayers, but the farmers may still be unable to reap the blessings all because of the state’s lackadaisical attitude in preparedness when it comes to copious rainfall. When Cauvery water from Mettur dam is released on July 19, a significant amount may still go unutilized since the desilting of irrigation channels is yet to be taken up in most places.
Taking for granted that Mettur will continue the record of missing its date of water release on June 12, the cleaning of irrigation channels began as late as July, after Karnataka started receiving good rainfall. "The desilting work commenced on July 1 and is expected to finish only by August 15. Less than 50% of cleaning of irrigation channels is complete," said state spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Sangam N Veerasekaran. He added that the water release was a welcome step and would be helpful to farmers in Lalgudi block of Trichy who raised kuruvai crop using borewells. Since the release from Mettur is likely to reach Trichy in five days, cleaning of channels could be completed on a war footing, said Veerasekaran.

Not even 10% of the 36,241-km-long irrigation canals crisscrossing 11.35 lakh agricultural land in Trichy, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur have been cleaned, alleged Puliyur A Nagarajan of TMC farmers’ wing. He also said the government should instruct the PWD to begin work in January so that the funds allotted for this purpose can be fully utilized.....Read more

 

Source web page: Times of india