Latest news with #ParambikulamAliyarProject
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Abundant storage in Thirumoorthy Dam raises hopes among farmers for water adequacy in tail-end areas of PAP Main Canal
: The early onset of Southwest monsoon this year that has resulted in impressive storage in Thirumoorthy Dam has infused hope among farmers in the tail-end areas of the PAP (Parambikulam Aliyar Project) Main Canal fed by the dam that there will be a change in the 'artificial drought conditions' caused hitherto by inadequate realisation of water in the canal. At a recent meeting to discuss the issue, the farmers arrived at a decision to stage prolonged protests if the Water Resource Department fails to channel water to a height of 4.8 feet (from the existing 4.5 feet) at the zero point of Vellakovil branch canal. Out of 2300 mcft (million cubic feet) drawn from the dam for supply through PAP main canal, the water distribution for Vellakoil branch should be one-eighth. Even if 20% of water transmission loss is factored in, the realisation has to be not less than 230 mcft at the zero point. 'But, the water realisation is only 170 mcft. This is not sufficient. At some locations in tail-end areas, water flow does not last even for two days. There is severe shortage of water for livestock, drinking purpose and irrigation,' P. Velusamy, president of PAP Vellakoil Branch Canal Water Conservation Movement said. The farmers hope the Water Resources Department will deploy better water management methods this time around with abundant water in the Thirumoorthy Dam. Against the full depth of 60 feet, the level in the dam rose up to 53.92 ft on Wednesday. The storage was 1483 mcft against capacity of 1744. Against inflow of 252 cusecs, discharge of 1160 cusecs was maintained. At the same day last year, the level was 31.1 feet and storage was 680 mcft. Also, the usable storage of the system dams of Parambikulam Aliyar Project was estimated at 7269.92 mcft by the Water Resources Department, on Wednesday. Official sources said the State Government has been promised funds by the Union Ministry of Jal Sakthi under Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). Phase II and III, co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank. Thirumoorthy Dam figures among 145 out of 736 dams proposed in the two phases that are more than 60 years old.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Police step up canal patrolling in western Tamil Nadu after elderly couple's murder
COIMBATORE: Following the murder of an elderly couple living alone in a farmhouse in Erode district recently, the state police department has increased the patrolling units along irrigation canals, as suspects are believed to be using such channels passing through farmland to reach their target. Covering the districts of Tiruppur, Erode, and Coimbatore, which rely on major irrigation projects such as the Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP), Lower Bhavani Project (LBP), and Noyyal River irrigation channels, the police have increased their canal-based patrolling units from 39 to 82. Due to the high number of isolated farmhouses in these western districts and purportedly similar methods (intruding into their target house using the canal route) deployed in previous crimes, the police are zeroing in on the rural areas of Erode, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore, all of which fall under the Coimbatore Range in the West Zone. 'A number of farmlands are linked to these three major irrigation projects, and the water distribution canals passing through them could have been used by the burglars to reach their target. To address this, we had initiated canal-based beat patrolling in Erode and Tiruppur districts four months ago and established teams in Coimbatore as preventive measures. The patrol teams concentrate on routes along the irrigation networks. Following the recent double murder in Erode, we have doubled the personnel in these patrol teams,' said a senior police officer from the range. According to police sources, Tiruppur district, which has approximately 80 km of irrigation network, has seen its beat patrolling units grow from 23 to 35.
