Tamil Nadu

Ramnad farmers worried

Staff Reporter

Almost all tanks in the district have dried up owing to failure of summer showers

RAMANATHAPURM: The dry spell and the failure of summer showers have caused concern among the farmers of the district over commencing agricultural operations.

The data available with the Agricultural Department shows that the rainfall received from January to June is below the expected level.

Though the district receives the maximum amount of rain from October to December, officials consider April and May as crucial months for recharging groundwater level.

The district usually receives at least 204.5 mm of rain till June.

According to the records, the rain received so far has been recorded as 136.9 mm. Rainfall received in April, May and June stand at 19.9 mm, 14 and 13.5 mm respectively.

During the same period in 2005, the district recorded 374 mm of rain.

The overall rainfall that year stood at 1,249.6 mm.

Almost all tanks in the district have dried up.

The district has 502 Public Works Department tanks and 1,192 minor irrigation tanks.

These are the main sources for irrigation and for providing drinking water.

According to the records, the water level is zero in all these tanks.

Reports of acute shortage of drinking water in many areas are pouring in forcing the officials to make arrangements for lorries to supply water.

The situation is grim in areas such as Kamudhi, Kadaladi, Mudukulathur, Nainarkoil, R.S. Mangalam, Thondi and Thiruvadanai. People who rear cattle are also finding it difficult to provide enough water to the animals.

G. Mahalingam, Joint Director, Agriculture (in-charge), and M. Gopalakrishnan, Agricultural Officer, say that there is still the hope of the northeast monsoon.

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