Rapidly falling water level in dams worries water managers, sends warning to farmers
Water levels in the Papanasam and Manimuthar dams in Tamil Nadu have dropped significantly due to poor rainfall during recent monsoon seasons. This shortage is severely impacting local agricultural operations and drinking water supplies, leaving farmers hesitant to plant crops.
Why it matters
The water crisis threatens regional food security and the livelihoods of farmers in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, highlighting the impact of climate variability on agriculture.
The rapidly falling water level in Papanasam and Manimuthar dams that determine the fate of agricultural operations and drinking water needs of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts has worried the water managers here as there is no sign of start of the Northeast monsoon, which would usually commence in mid-October every year.
Water level in Papanasam dam, which stood at 85 feet during this period last year, is only 42 feet on Friday (October 9) against the maximum storage level of 143 feet. Water level in Manimuthar dam is also not impressive as the district’s largest dam has water for only 59 feet against the maximum capacity of 118 feet, which was 91 feet during his period last year.
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