Groundwater depletion casts shadow over Kuruvai cultivation in Cauvery delta

Tiruchi, June 29 (IANS) Growing concerns over rapidly depleting groundwater levels are dampening prospects for kuruvai cultivation across Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery Delta, with farmers warning that the situation could worsen if monsoon rains fail to adequately recharge aquifers before the samba season.

The delay in releasing water from the Mettur Dam, traditionally opened on June 12 for irrigation, has forced most farmers dependent on Cauvery water to abandon kuruvai (summer-season paddy cultivation cycle) cultivation this year.

Only a limited number of farmers equipped with borewells have proceeded with cultivation, banking on groundwater reserves and the expectation of favourable monsoon rains.

However, even borewell-dependent farmers are facing mounting challenges.

Frequent power cuts and a sharp decline in groundwater levels across the Delta have significantly reduced the area brought under cultivation, making it unlikely that the region will achieve its target of 3.5 lakh acres under kuruvai this season.

A recent survey by the Water Resources Department (WRD) has painted a worrying picture. The study found that groundwater levels in all Delta districts recorded a steep decline during May, raising fears over the sustainability of irrigation during the crucial agricultural season.

Farmer leaders say the twin challenges of inadequate electricity supply and falling groundwater levels are making irrigation increasingly difficult.

According to Cauvery Farmers Protection Association president V. Dhanapalan, although Tamil Nadu has several lakh pump sets for various purposes, around 21 lakh borewells are used for agricultural irrigation, of which nearly 14 lakh functional pump sets are located in the Delta region.

He said farmers require at least eight hours of uninterrupted electricity to irrigate a single acre of farmland effectively. However, erratic power supply has made this nearly impossible, adding to the burden on cultivators already struggling with water scarcity.

While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a favourable southwest monsoon, Dhanapalan cautioned that rainfall alone may not be enough to restore groundwater.

Traditionally, groundwater levels in the Delta improve only when the Cauvery and its distributaries flow at full capacity, allowing water to percolate and recharge aquifers.

He warned that unless groundwater is replenished soon, the Delta could face severe agricultural distress, with even the forthcoming samba cultivation coming under threat.

Farmers fear that continued depletion of groundwater could have long-term consequences for one of Tamil Nadu’s most important rice-producing regions.

—IANS

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