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Release Pechiparai dam water for irrigation: CPI(M)

By Our Staff Reporter

NAGERCOIL, JUNE 8. The district unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxists) has urged the Government to take steps to release water from the Pechiparai dam for irrigation for the benefit of the farmers of the tail end areas of the district.

Speaking to The Hindu , the district secretary of the CPI (M), S. Noormohamed, said that all the four dams, including Pechiparai, Perunchani, Chithar I and II, were having adequate water for the first crop. Normally, the Public Works Department releases water from the Pechiparai dam for irrigation on June 1 to facilitate farmers to undertake agriculture operations.

But even after all the four dams have a comfortable storage, the Government was hesitant to release water. The farmers in the tail end areas, including Anjugramam, Azagappapuram, Palkulam, Nilaparai and Myladi, were put to untold hardship, following non-release of water from the dam. As they were unable to undertake agriculture operations in full swing, the CPI (M) has urged the Government to release water without any further delay, said Mr. Noormohammed.

Rain in catchment areas

There has been widespread rain in the catchment areas for the third day today. The sky remained overcast throughout the day.

Agricultural operations are picking up in different parts of the district for the first crop (kannipoo) using the available rainwater in tanks and ponds. The agriculture department has decided to cover the first crop on over 12,000 hectares during the current season.

Farmers in different parts of the district are happy following the availability of adequate water in all the four dams for the first crop. The level in Pechiparai dam stood at 16.30 feet against the total capacity of 48 feet, 40.35 feet in Perunchani against the total capacity of 77 feet, 6.46 feet in Chithar I against the total capacity of 18 feet and 6.72 feet in Chithar II against the total capacity of 18 feet.

The maximum rainfall of 30 mm was recorded at Chithar I followed by 20 mm in Chithar II, 18 mm in Perunchani, 15.4 mm in Pechiparai, 14.4 mm in Puthan dam and 12 mm in Surulode.

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