21-07-2025
Farmers seek early release of water into LBP canal amid favourable monsoon
With sufficient water available in the Bhavanisagar Dam and the prevailing favourable southwest monsoon, farmers have urged the State government to advance the release of water into the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal to August 1, instead of the customary date of August 15.
In petitions submitted to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin through the district administration on Monday, members of the Keel Bhavani Murai Neer Pasana Vivasayigal Kootamaippu and the Keel Bhavani Ayacut Nila Urimaiyalargal Sangam pointed out that the monsoon has been favourable across the State, and the dam's water level stands at 97.56 feet, against its full reservoir level (FRL) of 105 feet. The current storage is 26.86 tmc ft, compared to the dam's total capacity of 32.8 tmc ft. They noted that the reservoir may soon reach full capacity, after which surplus water will be discharged into Bhavani River.
The petitioners highlighted that crops such as sugarcane, turmeric, banana, tapioca, and coconut, extensively cultivated in the LBP canal ayacut areas, are suffering due to severe water scarcity. Many crops have already withered, and farmers are staring at substantial financial losses.
In view of these conditions, the petition urged the government to release water from the dam into the canal starting August 1. It proposed that water be released into the LBP main canal through the 'odd' numbered sluice gates, and into the Chennasamudram canal through the 'even' numbered sluice gates from August 1 to 10. This move, they said, would benefit nearly one lakh acres currently experiencing water shortage.
Subsequently, from August 10 onwards, the water release schedule could be reversed, using the 'even' numbered sluice gates for the LBP main canal and the 'odd' ones for the Chennasamudram canal, for the remainder of the irrigation season.
