Construction of a check dam on the Chinnar River near Udumalai on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border raises concerns about water supply to the Amaravathi Dam, potentially affecting irrigation and drinking water schemes.
Coimbatore: The construction of a new check dam on the Chinnar River at the Perukuda area near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border has escalated tensions regarding water supply to the Amaravathi Dam. Located in the Western Ghats at the base of the mountains near Udumalai, in the forest areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Amaravathi Dam relies on rivers originating from these regions. Currently, the dam facilitates irrigation over an area of 54,637 acres in Tiruppur and Karur districts through both old and new irrigation schemes, while also supporting various local drinking water projects.
According to local farmers, the Kerala State Government initiated the dam construction in Idukki district's Devikulam taluk. This could potentially block the flow of the main tributary of the Amaravathi River, which would severely affect water storage and management for the Amaravathi Dam. The ongoing construction for a water filtration plant in the area is cited as a reason for the check dam, with possible severe implications for the surrounding environment and water access. The situation could lead to a halt in water flow to the Amaravathi Dam, transforming irrigable land into barren wastelands and disrupting critical water projects based on the main canal and the river.
Officials from Tamil Nadu are urging immediate discussion with Kerala authorities to suspend the construction and dismantle the underway structure to prevent a potential water crisis. Failure to resolve this could propel local farmers and residents to initiate protests, considering their livelihood and public welfare.
According to local farmers, the Kerala State Government initiated the dam construction in Idukki district's Devikulam taluk. This could potentially block the flow of the main tributary of the Amaravathi River, which would severely affect water storage and management for the Amaravathi Dam. The ongoing construction for a water filtration plant in the area is cited as a reason for the check dam, with possible severe implications for the surrounding environment and water access. The situation could lead to a halt in water flow to the Amaravathi Dam, transforming irrigable land into barren wastelands and disrupting critical water projects based on the main canal and the river.
Officials from Tamil Nadu are urging immediate discussion with Kerala authorities to suspend the construction and dismantle the underway structure to prevent a potential water crisis. Failure to resolve this could propel local farmers and residents to initiate protests, considering their livelihood and public welfare.