Water requirement during the season for Thadapalli-Arakankottai canal’s ayacut spread over about 25,000 acres is 10.6 tmc and and in Kalingarayan canal's ayacut of around 15,700 acres, there is a requirement for 8 tmc, according to farmers' organisations.
But, the storage in Bhavani Sagar Reservoir, the water source for all the three canals is just 2.8 tmc, against the capacity of 32.8 tmc. On Monday 27 June, the depth was at 42.45 feet and the inflow was a dismal 711 cusecs, official sources said.
The farmers in Kalingarayan canal ayacyut have started the process of turmeric cultivation in Kodumudi and Unjalur belts with well water, replicating the practice in the delta districts. But, the well water availability is too low for sustaining the standing crops, representative of Kalingarayan Pasana Vivasayigal Sangam S. Kulandaivelu said.
