Erode, July 15 (IANS) A large group of farmers from the Lower Bhavani irrigation command area has demanded equitable distribution of irrigation water among the three major canal systems fed by the Bhavanisagar dam, urging the Tamil Nadu government to abandon the existing staggered release schedule and ensure simultaneous supply to the Lower Bhavani, Thadapalli-Arakkankottai and Kalingarayan canal schemes.

The demand was raised during a meeting of farmers, who alleged that the existing pattern of releasing water at different intervals had placed the Lower Bhavani command area at a significant disadvantage.

Under the current schedule, the Thadapalli-Arakkankottai canal receives water in April, the Kalingarayan canal in June, while the Lower Bhavani canal gets its allocation only in August. By this time, the critical cultivation season is already underway.

Farmers said the delayed release of irrigation water has resulted in repeated crop failures and severe financial losses over the years. According to them, the Lower Bhavani region has lost eight cultivation cycles of paddy and 16 cycles of pulse crops because of the uneven distribution of water.

They added that the area is now reeling under acute drought conditions, with drinking water scarcity worsening in several villages.

The Bhavanisagar dam is one of Tamil Nadu’s most important irrigation reservoirs, supporting agriculture across Erode, Tirupur and Karur districts.

The reservoir irrigates thousands of hectares where crops such as paddy, sugarcane, turmeric, banana and coconut are cultivated. It also serves as a vital source of drinking water for lakhs of people in the region.

Seeking a long-term solution, the farmers urged the Water Resources Department to allocate irrigation water based on the acreage covered under each canal system rather than following the existing staggered schedule.

They also demanded simultaneous release of water to all three canal schemes in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the water tribunal, saying such a system would ensure fairness and prevent recurring disputes over water sharing.

Lower Bhavani Irrigation Farmers’ Association leader V. Nallasamy said farmers would no longer accept delayed and discriminatory release of irrigation water, which has repeatedly affected cultivation in the region.

He urged the district administration and the Water Resources Department to ensure equitable and timely distribution of water so that farmers under all three canal systems receive their fair share and are able to plan agricultural operations without uncertainty.

–IANS

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