Major Canal Breach Causes Agricultural Devastation in Tirupur
A significant breach in the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) canal near Palladam in Tirupur district has resulted in substantial agricultural losses, with approximately 60,000 harvested coconuts either damaged or completely washed away. The incident occurred on Thursday when the canal walls gave way at the 77th kilometre stretch near Vavipalayam, sending massive amounts of irrigation water flooding into surrounding coconut plantations.
Extensive Damage to Farmland and Infrastructure
The canal breach affected coconut farms across a 2-kilometer radius, inundating at least 50 acres of agricultural land. According to affected farmers, the damage extends beyond just the coconut yield. Farm boundaries, borewells, and other crucial agricultural infrastructure have also suffered significant harm.
Farmer M Suresh Kumar revealed that this disaster was not entirely unexpected. "The canal walls had developed cracks several months ago," he stated. "We have been consistently petitioning the district administration for the past four months to address this issue. Last month, contractors filled the cracks with concrete as a temporary solution, but this major breach now raises serious questions about the quality of their work."
Immediate Response and Financial Impact
The Public Works Department has taken emergency measures by temporarily reducing water flow in the canal and using mud bags to reinforce the breached bunds. Officials have assured that complete water flow will be stopped by Friday morning, allowing restoration work to begin immediately.
The financial impact on local farmers is substantial. With the current market price of coconuts at ₹35 per piece, the direct loss from damaged coconuts alone amounts to approximately ₹21 lakh. Farmers have formally sought compensation from the district administration for their comprehensive losses.
Tirupur District Collector Manish Narnaware confirmed that "a primary report has been sent to the state government, and a detailed crop damage assessment is currently being prepared." This detailed report will form the basis for compensation claims.
Restoration Timeline and Future Precautions
A PWD official speaking to TOI indicated that canal restoration work would be completed within 10 days. The official described the breach as "unanticipated" and emphasized that immediate measures have been taken to control the situation.
This incident highlights the critical need for regular maintenance of irrigation infrastructure and prompt response to early warning signs. As restoration efforts proceed, local farmers await both immediate compensation and long-term solutions to prevent similar disasters in the future.
