The Hindu : Summer showers bring relief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Summer showers bring relief

By T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI May 1 . Farmers and people in water-starved areas of Tamil Nadu, who were distraught at the forecast of "another bad monsoon year", heaved a sigh of relief as southern and interior parts experienced heavy summer showers in the last couple of weeks.

In the two-month season (March and April), the State, as a whole, received 80 mm against the expected precipitation of 67 mm. The rainfall activity was particularly vigorous in many areas in the last few weeks.

In the past one week, Madurai, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram witnessed heavy spells of rain, about 50 mm, though the normal rainfall for these districts during the season was only 15 mm. Besides, Coimbatore and the composite Thanjavur district received excess rain.

However, it is Theni which stands out in terms of the total rainfall for the season. This district, which had a disastrous southwest monsoon last year with a mere 55 mm of rain, registered around 380 mm in the recent weeks. The textile city of Coimbatore, known for water shortage, received around 185 mm.

Similarly, the latest spell of showers came as a boon to Virudhunagar, Vellore, Dharmapuri, the Nilgiris and Salem. These districts were let down by both the southwest monsoon (June to September) and the northeast monsoon (October-December) last year.

In March and April, the Nilgiris recorded around 175 mm, Virudhunagar 160 mm, Salem 90 mm, Dharmapuri 85 mm and Vellore 45 mm.

However, for officials of the Meteorological and Revenue (which is in charge of drought relief) departments, these details do not mean much. They say the months from August to November are crucial as it is this period which accounts for a major portion of the State's annual rainfall. Meteorological department officials point out that this year's southwest monsoon is likely to be normal.

The rain, apart from providing temporary relief from searing heat, has helped to improve drinking water availability in many pockets in southern districts. But, worried heads of local bodies and district administrators say a few more lasting spells of rain will be required to ensure adequate drinking water supply till the advent of monsoon.

Though water experts concede that the latest rain will not enable the districts to tide over shortage, they say it lessens the severity of the problem and also helps in recharging of groundwater.

It is against the backdrop of the recent spell that concepts of rainwater harvesting and water conservation assume relevance. As drought and water scarcity have become regular features, RWH has to be given due attention, say the experts.

The State Government too considers RWH a thrust area. In the ongoing budget session of the Assembly, many departments have come out with their plans of popularising this idea. The Rural Development department has announced a special programme for rejuvenation of water bodies in panchayats, while the Municipal Administration department has chalked out a scheme for renovation and restoration of water bodies, temple tanks and ponds.

The Agriculture department has planned digging of 6,700 farm ponds in Cauvery delta districts and rehabilitation of 50,000 unused wells. Rainwater harvesting activists, however, say that for these programmes to make a lasting and meaningful impact, the departments should pay greater attention to community participation in implementation.

Meanwhile, Revenue department officials are hopeful of the Centre sanctioning soon another tranche of funds for drought relief. About four months ago, it released around Rs. 230 crores.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Summer showers bring relief

U.S. grant to support project for AIDS patients

No bid to muzzle Press, says Kalimuthu

Quarrying may worsen plight of delta tail-end ryots

All set for constabulary recruitment

Wakf Act to be amended

Notification on civil judges appointment set aside

STF seeks to break Veerappan's Robin Hood image

Medicos to continue fast

Scheme for indigent AIADMK workers

Work for change of govt.: DMK