more-inTHENIPublic Works Department officials stopped releasing water from Vaigai dam to Melur and Kallanthiri areas in Madurai district on Tuesday. After seven days of water release, they also reduced the discharge for irrigating the first crop in Madurai and Dindigul districts from 1,860 cusecs to 960 cusecs. Farmers in Melur and nearby areas had already appealed to authorities to extend the release for 14 days as seven days of water release would not suffice to recharge tanks and improve groundwater table. A section of farmers in Dindigul district had also appealed to the PWD officials to release water to recharge Pudhukulam tank at Siddhargal Natham. He also said that water would be released only for seven days to cater to the drinking water needs of Tirumangalam, Melur, Kallanthiri, Vikkiramangalam, Kodikulam, Ayanakulam, Kuzhayapadi, Kuppanampatti, Mettupatti, Ariyapatti, Uchapatti, Thidiyan and Sindhipatti.

Source: The Hindu November 28, 2017 12:41 UTC