Groundnut farmers in Karimangalam, Tamil Nadu, are urging the district administration and the Water Resources Department to redirect water from the right canal of the Krishnagiri Reservoir Project dam to irrigation tanks. They are concerned about the risk to thousands of hectares of crops due to a severe water shortage. Karimangalam alone has about 3,800 hectares of groundnut cultivation, a major oilseed crop in Dharmapuri district.
A prolonged dry spell and inadequate southwest monsoon rainfall have left farmers struggling to protect their crops. Many fields are showing signs of severe moisture stress as the region faces a significant water scarcity. The insufficient rainfall during this monsoon season has led to dried-up lakes, declining groundwater levels, and a lack of proper irrigation for the crops.
Farmers who planted groundnut in May are particularly worried as the crop is now in a critical stage and urgently needs watering to prevent substantial yield losses. R. Ramasamy, a farmer from Karimangalam, highlighted the minimal southwest monsoon rainfall received in the region, resulting in empty irrigation tanks and inadequate water supply from borewells. Without immediate water release, many farmers are at risk of losing their entire crop.
S. Kannan, another farmer, emphasized the importance of utilizing water from the KRP dam’s right canal to replenish irrigation tanks like Dindal and Bandarahalli. This action not only benefits the standing groundnut crop but also enhances groundwater availability for nearby villages. Farmers stressed the need for prompt intervention to avert extensive crop damage and provide relief to numerous farming families dependent on groundnut cultivation.
Officials from the Water Resources Department have acknowledged the situation and pledged to take necessary actions. They confirmed the ongoing water release from the KRP dam and assured that farmers’ irrigation needs would be considered when managing water distribution through the canal system.
