Latest news with #LowerBhavaniProject
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Erode farmers seek CM's intervention to renovate LBP Canal
Citing frequent breaches in the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) main canal that are disrupting agricultural activities, farmers have urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to initiate a comprehensive renovation project and ensure consistent water supply in the district. In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister and submitted to the district administration on Wednesday (August 6, 2025), members of the Keel Bhavani Murai Neer Pasana Vivasayigal Kootamaippu and the Keel Bhavani Ayacut Nila Urimaiyalargal Sangam said the ayacut areas were facing acute water shortage. They said crops had withered over the past four months, resulting in financial losses. Surplus water is being released from Bhavanisagar Dam and farmer associations requested the government to utilise the water. Following repeated appeals, water was released from the Dam into the canal on July 31, earlier than the customary date of August 15. However, a breach at the 13th mile of the canal at Vandipalayam in Sathyamangalam taluk led to substantial water loss before it could reach the farmlands. The letter pointed out that between 2021 and 2025, six major breaches had occurred in the main canal after water release for irrigation. The farmers urged the Chief Minister to investigate the cause of these recurring breaches, particularly since the government had already spent ₹710 crore on canal renovation. They also noted that the government had informed the Madras High Court of its readiness to allocate an additional ₹200 crore for the project. 'Despite these investments, the canal has lost its operational efficiency,' the letter stated. 'Instead of renovating the entire canal as recommended by hydrology experts, the work appears to have been done selectively based on the preferences of local residents,' it added. The letter further expressed concern about the canal's ability to supply water throughout the irrigation season. This uncertainty, it said, has created serious anxiety among farmers, many of whom are now hesitant to transplant paddy or continue with cultivation.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Adequate fertilizers available for first crop season: Collector
With water being released from the Bhavanisagar Dam into the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal for irrigation, District Collector S. Kandasamy has assured farmers that sufficient stocks of fertilizers are available to meet the needs of the first crop season. Water was released from the dam on Friday evening for a period of 135 days to irrigate 1,03,500 acres in the districts of Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur. Addressing concerns raised by a section of farmers regarding fertilizer availability, the Collector said that 15,472.90 metric tonnes of fertilizers are currently stocked in the district. The stock includes 3,006.60 metric tonnes of urea, 2,286.50 metric tonnes of DAP, 3,114.70 metric tonnes of potash, and 7,065.10 metric tonnes of complex fertilizers. In addition to fertilizers, the Collector also highlighted the availability of seeds for the current sowing season. As per data, 321 metric tonnes of paddy seeds, 63.31 metric tonnes of small millets, 116.10 metric tonnes of oilseeds, and 31 metric tonnes of legume varieties are available for distribution to farmers. The administration has urged farmers to make use of the available resources and commence cultivation activities.
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Water released from Bhavanisagar Dam into LBP canal for first crop season
Water was released from the Bhavanisagar Dam into the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal on Thursday to irrigate 1,03,500 acres in the districts of Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur for the first crop season. Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy and Minister for Information and Publicity M.P. Saminathan opened the dam shutters to release the water at 6.50 p.m., in the presence of Collector S. Kandasamy, MLAs A.G. Venkatachalam (Anthiyur), C. Saraswathi (Modakkurichi), and V.C. Chandhirakumar (Erode East), Mayor S. Nagarathinam, officials from the Water Resources Department, and representatives of farmers' associations. Addressing the media, Mr. Muthusamy said water would be released for 15 days, from Thursday until August 14, for special wetting of crops. The regular release for irrigation will commence on August 15 and continue for 120 days. He noted that water is usually released on August 15 each year, but this year, due to the discharge of surplus water into the Bhavani River, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin directed early release to ensure it is used productively for agriculture. Of the total 124-mile length of the LBP canal, renovation work has been completed for 74 miles, and the remaining work in 50 mile is expected to be completed within four days, the Minister added. Responding to a question on whether surplus water from the dam would be diverted to fill water bodies, Mr. Muthusamy said the quantum of surplus water released each year needs to be studied and appropriate steps would be taken based on the findings. When asked whether water could be stored at the Orathupalayam Dam, Mr. Saminathan said the Madras High Court had issued orders restricting water storage at the dam. 'However, as the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level has dropped significantly, a technical team from Anna University is currently conducting a study. The report will be submitted in a month, after which the court will be approached to consider lifting the restriction,' he said.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Farmers seek early release of water into LBP canal amid favourable monsoon
With sufficient water available in the Bhavanisagar Dam and the prevailing favourable southwest monsoon, farmers have urged the State government to advance the release of water into the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal to August 1, instead of the customary date of August 15. In petitions submitted to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin through the district administration on Monday, members of the Keel Bhavani Murai Neer Pasana Vivasayigal Kootamaippu and the Keel Bhavani Ayacut Nila Urimaiyalargal Sangam pointed out that the monsoon has been favourable across the State, and the dam's water level stands at 97.56 feet, against its full reservoir level (FRL) of 105 feet. The current storage is 26.86 tmc ft, compared to the dam's total capacity of 32.8 tmc ft. They noted that the reservoir may soon reach full capacity, after which surplus water will be discharged into Bhavani River. The petitioners highlighted that crops such as sugarcane, turmeric, banana, tapioca, and coconut, extensively cultivated in the LBP canal ayacut areas, are suffering due to severe water scarcity. Many crops have already withered, and farmers are staring at substantial financial losses. In view of these conditions, the petition urged the government to release water from the dam into the canal starting August 1. It proposed that water be released into the LBP main canal through the 'odd' numbered sluice gates, and into the Chennasamudram canal through the 'even' numbered sluice gates from August 1 to 10. This move, they said, would benefit nearly one lakh acres currently experiencing water shortage. Subsequently, from August 10 onwards, the water release schedule could be reversed, using the 'even' numbered sluice gates for the LBP main canal and the 'odd' ones for the Chennasamudram canal, for the remainder of the irrigation season.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Plea for early release of water from Bhavanisagar Dam to aid farmers
The Environment Wing of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has urged the State Government to advance the release of water from the Lower Bhavani Dam (also known as Bhavanisagar Dam) to August 1, 2025, in a bid to address the escalating water scarcity affecting farmers in Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur districts. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the wing's secretary, Karthikeya Sivasenapathy, highlighted that these key agricultural districts are situated in a rain shadow region and have been severely impacted by poor monsoon rainfall in the recent years. Despite dry conditions in the plains, he noted that the Western Ghats catchment areas have received good rainfall this season, resulting in a water level of 96.20 feet in the dam as of July 14, with a storage of 25.85 tmc ft against its full capacity of 32.8 tmc ft. 'The current storage level presents a timely opportunity to support our farmers by ensuring water availability for the upcoming agricultural season,' he said. Mr. Sivasenapathy warned that delaying the scheduled release from August 15 could disrupt crop planning and agricultural operations, further burdening the already distressed farming community. He appealed to the Chief Minister to instruct the Water Resources Department (WRD) to begin releasing water by August 1. 'An early release would provide relief to thousands of farmers, enabling them to begin their agricultural activities without delay,' he added. He also expressed confidence that the State Government would take proactive steps under the Chief Minister's leadership to safeguard farmer livelihoods and ensure water security in the regions. It may be recalled that 94% of the renovation work in the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal system has already been completed, with the remaining work expected to be finished before August 15. The WRD had earlier stated that water could be released for irrigation only after the completion of these works.
