Mixed reactions to July 19 water release from Mettur

THANJAVUR: There has been a mixed reaction to the Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami’s announcement on opening the Mettur dam for cultivation in the delta districts on July 19. 

While some farmers felt it is early, others said that there is no other way as the dam is fast filling up and that water should be utilised properly. “Opening on July 19 appears to be rather early for samba (long-term paddy crop). 

Opening of the dam in the last week of July or first week of August would have been ideal. But now as the Chief Minister has announced the date, care should be taken to utilise the water efficiently,” said Mannargudi S. Ranganathan, secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association.

He told DC over phone that seed distribution by Agriculture department has not yet started. He also added that the department should clarify their position of stock and distribution of long-term varieties like CR1009.

Further, he expressed concern over the ongoing desilting works under Kudimaramathu. “If Mettur dam is opened on July 19, water is expected to reach Grand Anicut on July 22. If water is released from there it will take another three days i.e. July 25 to reach tail-end areas. In this available time, PWD should complete Kudimaramathu works”, Ranganathan said.

Agriculture department should also clarify that water is for 'samba' and not for Kuruvai so that farmers did not confuse them and sow short-term varieties, he added. 

P.R. Pandian, coordinator of ‘Thamizhaga Anaithu Vivasaya Sangangalin Orunginaippu Kuzhu’ welcomed the opening of dam on July 19. “This will help farmers who have taken up direct sowing” he said.

However, he said that Tamil Nadu should follow the procedure of informing Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and get its approval for opening the dam. “Now as water is surplus, Tamil Nadu's announcement may not be a problem. But in deficit years, Karnataka may take advantage of Tamil Nadu announcing opening of dam without consulting CWMA. Tamil Nadu government should keep this in mind” he said.

“Fifty per cent of the Kudimaramathu work has not yet been started. Even the started works have not yet been completed and are going on. Payment should not be paid by PWD until work is completed. The Nabard, funding agency, should monitor the works” Pandian pleaded.

Sami Nadarajan, district secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam said that there is no other go for government than to open the dam as one lakh cusecs is reaching the dam and level is likely to cross 90 ft in a couple of days. Filling up of lakes and tanks is a good proposition announced by Chief Minister but the tanks and lakes should be kept ready for storing water by completing desilting works immediately, added Nadarajan.