In Erode, farmers staged a sit-in protest at the office of the Superintending Engineer of the Water Resources Department (WRD) on Thursday, March 21, 2024, opposing the move to release water for the second crop season in the old ayacut areas without ensuring sufficient water for irrigation in the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) ayacut areas.
According to Government Order No. 2367 dated September 21, 1964, farmers emphasized that water release for crops in the LBP ayacut areas, spanning 1,03,500 acres, must take precedence before any allocation to the old ayacut areas. Despite this directive, the WRD issued a government order to release 11.7 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) water to the old ayacut areas, disregarding farmers’ concerns.
The mismanagement of water resources has led to a severe water shortage in the LBP ayacut areas, as poor storage in the Bhavanisagar dam impedes adequate water supply to farmers until May 1, 2024. Farmers hold the WRD accountable for exacerbating the crisis and lament the district administration’s apparent failure to address the situation.
In light of the water scarcity, farmers demand immediate action, urging the release of water from the Kundah Hydro reservoirs in The Nilgiris to mitigate the current crisis. Their protest underscores the urgent need to prioritize equitable water distribution to ensure the sustenance of agriculture and livelihoods in the region.
