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Chennai, Nov 26 (IANS) The Water Resources Department (WRD) has announced that water for the fifth wetting of the fourth zone under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP) will be released only after completing immediate repairs to the critically damaged stretches of the main canal.
Officials said inspection teams are currently identifying weak points along the 124-km length of the canal, with restoration work progressing on priority basis.
On 13 November, a major breach occurred at Vavipalayam near Palladam in Tiruppur district, where the bank of the PAP main canal was breached.
The canal, which carries irrigation water released from the Tirumurthy Dam in Udumalaipet, flooded fields, residential areas and even the school campus in the village. As a precaution, local authorities declared a holiday in the affected schools.
Following the violation, the WRD immediately stopped the discharge of water from Tirumurti Dam.
To minimize further impact and avoid wastage, the water already flowing was diverted to the Upper Dam at Dharapuram, Tiruppur at the 46 kilometer point of the canal.
With a capacity of 576 MCFT and a depth of 24 feet, the upper dam is designed to store surplus water from the PAP system.
The diversion proved to be a relief for local farmers, who had recently appealed for additional inflow into the reservoir.
However, irrigation supply from Tirumurti Dam remains closed even several days after the incident, leaving farmers worried.
With the fifth wet being critical for standing crops, farmers have urged the WRD to expedite repairs and ensure uninterrupted supply as soon as possible.
PAP Welfare Association secretary GV Viveganandan stressed the urgency of restoring the canal.
“There should be no delay in releasing water for irrigation. Also, the most seriously damaged stretches should be repaired immediately. For example, at the 86.9 kilometer point, the canal bank has suffered major damage and needs immediate attention,” he said.
A senior WRD official confirmed that three seriously damaged spots along the canal have been identified.
“The repair work is underway and will be completed in a few days. Once it is completed, water will be released for the fifth waiting of the fourth zone. Usually, water is made available for 15 days for the fifth waiting, but considering the situation, we are planning to supply for nine days,” the official said.
Farmers say the shorter supply window will also be beneficial, provided the release starts without any delay.
–IANS
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