Farmers from Tiruvannamalai, Kallakuruchi and Villupuram districts on Wednesday requested the district administration to release water from the Sathanur dam in Tiruvannamalai on January 14, a day before Pongal festival, to commence the first season of cultivation for 2026.
At the consultative meeting that was chaired by Collector K. Tharpagaraj at the Collectorate here, farmers said that release of water from the dam before the festival will help them cultivate paddy before summer season commences. “Apart from being an auspicious occasion (Pongal festival), early release of water will also help us to harvest before harsh weather sets in during April - May. Also, the region has witnessed deficit rainfall during this monsoon. As a result, release of water will help farmers in these districts,” said B. Vembu, a farmer.
Apart from around 80 farmers from these districts, other stakeholders in the meeting including officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD), which maintains the facility, PWD, Department of Agriculture, revenue and police also participated. “According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) predictions, the region could witness rains on January 10-11. If that happens, release of water would be post-Pongal festival as sufficient water will be available for farmers to begin cultivation due to rains,” K. Santhosh, Assistant Engineer (AE), WRD (Sathanur Dam), told The Hindu.
