Kerala - Alappuzha   

Saline water enters Kuttanad fields

By A. Harikumar

ALAPPUZHA, DEC. 8. The entry of saline water into the paddy fields of Kuttanad, which had damaged the paddy crop in the region in the last harvest season, is likely to pose a problem in the coming season as well.

Farmers of Kuttanad have complained that saline water has entered the paddy fields of Punnapra, Ambalappuzha, Takazhi, Kanjippadam and Purakkad villages. The farmers said the water level of lakes and canals in Kuttanad has fallen, increasing the danger of inflow of saline water from Arabian Sea into Kuttanad.

Farmers under the aegis of Kuttanad Vikasana Samithi said the failure to replace the damaged shutters of the Thottappally spillway in time had led to the inflow of saline water into Kuttanad. The spillway adjacent to Thottappally bar facilitates the flow of flood water from South Kuttanad into Arabian sea and prevents the entry of saline water.

Work incomplete

Fr. Thomas Peelianikkal of the samithi said the sandbags piled in front of the damaged shutters to prevent the entry of salt water were removed to facilitate the repair of the shutters. But the work to replace 26 shutters of the spillway that began in November 2003 is yet to be completed. The removal of the sandbags allowed saline water to enter Kuttanad, he said.

Fr. Peelianikkal said farmers would block the Thottappally bar with sand bags tomorrow. Thousands of farmers would participate in the programme. He said the construction of Kayamkulam fishing harbour had also contributed to the inflow of saline water into Kuttanad. The Kayamkulam bar remains open throughout the year after the Kayamkulam breakwater was built for the fishing harbour. This had led to the inflow of saline water through canals in Thrikkunnappuzha to Kuttanad, said Fr. Peelianikkal.

Agitation

He said the farmers would block the national waterway if the Government failed to take steps to prevent the entry of salt water through the Thrikkunnappuzha regulator. The working of the Thrikkunnappuzha regulator should be made effective to prevent entry of salt water through the regulator. He also demanded that the shutters of the Thanneermukkom barrage be closed to prevent fall in water level of Kuttanad.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

`Hundred-day action plan a farce'
Saline water enters Kuttanad fields

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu