Tue Apr 15 13:39:23 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Farmers Express Frustration Despite Ample Rainfall
**Tiruppur, April 15, 2025** – While sufficient rainfall has ensured healthy water levels in major dams across Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts, farmers remain disappointed by the stalled progress of crucial irrigation projects. Despite comfortable water storage in dams like Amaravathy (1106 mcft, compared to 943 mcft last year) and Thirumoorthy (48.66 feet, significantly higher than last year’s 30.51 feet), the lack of progress on the Anamalayar and Nirar-Nallar multipurpose schemes is causing concern.
Farmers have repeatedly raised this issue at monthly meetings. The projects aim to optimize water usage from west-flowing rivers, ensuring consistent irrigation. The Anamalayar project seeks to divert 2.5 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu, but faces delays due to Kerala’s concerns over the incomplete Idamalayar project. Kerala has proposed an alternative, involving a weir across the Italiar tributary.
The Nirar-Nallar scheme would create a reservoir with a 7 tmcft capacity, improving water efficiency. Tamil Nadu is pushing for this scheme as a more efficient alternative to the existing route. However, progress hinges on resolving a water-sharing dispute with Kerala, specifically regarding an increased share (2.5-3 tmcft) at the Manacadavu weir.
Despite 27 meetings between Tamil Nadu and Kerala since 2021, no significant headway has been made on either project, leaving farmers anxiously awaiting a resolution. Technical discussions are ongoing, but the delay continues to cast a shadow over the agricultural prospects of the region.
First Piper 