Madurai: With the Vaigai dam’s water level at its lowest since commissioning, farmers across the Periyar-Vaigai command are waiting for clarity on irrigation release for the kuruvai season. The reservoir, which touched 20ft last week, has now inched towards 25ft against its full level of 71ft. Around the same period last year, the water level was close to 60ft, enabling release for cultivation.
Concern Over First-Crop Ayacut
The immediate concern is the first-crop ayacut spread over about 45,041 acres in Madurai, Dindigul and adjoining regions. Farmers in these areas depend on early Vaigai release to prepare fields, raise nurseries and take up transplantation.
“In normal years, water is first released for the double-crop command, where the first paddy crop is taken up around June-July. A later release usually supports single-crop areas, where cultivation begins around Aug-Sept, depending on storage and inflow,” said farmer association president N Palanisamy.
This year, farmers say both windows have become uncertain as storage remains low despite a small improvement in level. They said the crisis has also revived questions over the dam’s actual storage capacity. “It is high time the Vaigai dam is desilted. There is mud for nearly 20ft, and there is no clarity on the tender status for the same,” Palanisamy said. Farmers said drinking water needs may also weigh on any decision on releasing water for irrigation unless inflow improves.
Other Reservoirs Also Low
The concern is not limited to the Vaigai basin. Papanasam and Manimuthar, two key reservoirs for Tirunelveli and adjoining districts, are holding only about 41% and 31% of their storage capacity, far below the comfort level farmers expect before the main cultivation window.
State govt officials were not available for comment. Stay updated with the latest Madurai news. Download the TOI App.
