Tamil Nadu - Nagapattinam   

Paddy fields inundated in many parts of delta

Photo: M. Srinath

FRUITS OF LABOUR: Brinjal crop submerged at Thirupanthuruthi near Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district on Tuesday. —

NAGAPATTINAM: With heavy rains continuing in many parts of the district, about 20,000 hectares might have been submerged in the area irrigated by the Cauvery system of canals, officials said. However, assessments of damage were at a preliminary stage.

The Collectorate has opened a 24-hour flood control room with zonal officers appointed in each taluk. On Tuesday morning, Thanjavur (250 mm) and Tiruvidaimaruthur (300 mm) received very heavy rainfall creating fear of flood in the tail-end regions of the delta. Preliminary assessments show the possible submerged area as 20,000 hectares in five blocks including Mayiladuthurai, Kollidam and Sirkazhi. About 32,000 hectares under the late thaladi and 25,000 hectares under samba, planted late in the district due to scarcity of water, might be affected. S. Ranganathan, general secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association, said that the current spell showed the weaknesses in the Cauvery tail-end region. “There are problems in the tail-end because of late planting of crops, insufficient drainage facilities and also because of constant expansion into the flood plains (padugai nilam) by farmers.” Arupathy Kalyanam, general secretary, Federation of Farmers’ Welfare Associations, said: “The government must make sure that the planting season for thaladi and samba ends before September 30. Water scarcity caused delays in the planting this year, and many of these crops could be affected with correspondingly lower yields.”

Heavy inundation of samba and thaladi paddy fields was reported in several parts of Tiruvarur district. Collector M. Chandrasekaran, who inspected Mannargudi, Needamangalam, Valaigaiman, Tiruvarur and Nannilam blocks, said that PWD officials had been deputed to drain water from submerged fields. The paddy crops were in early stages and would not be affected by the rain. However, if heavy rain continued, some damage may be caused, he said.

The Collector said that 37 thatched houses in Avur in Valangaiman taluk were damaged. And 418 people of the village affected by the rains were shifted a nearby school and were being provided food and other assistance.

Samba and thaladi crops in Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Thiruvaiyaru, Tiruvidaimarudur and Orathanadu blocks submerged in the rains.

Collector M. S. Shanmugam told media persons that precautionary measures had been taken to drain water from the fields to irrigation channels.

Pattukottai, Peravuruni and Sethubavachathiram blocks did not experience heavy rains in the last two days and the present rains came as a boon to the farmers in these areas.

Round-the-clock control room had been set up in the Collectorate (Phone No.04362 230089).

About 40 houses were damaged in the rains, he said and added that the local bodies had been instructed to clean overhead water tanks as a precautionary measure to prevent waterborne diseases.

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Paddy fields inundated in many parts of delta

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