Summary:
more-inAlleging that there was rampant illegal tapping of water released from Mullaperiyar dam before it reaches Vaigai dam, farmers from Periyar Irrigation Planning Committee petitioned Collector K.
Veera Raghava on Monday requesting his intervention in tackling the issue. According to him, permission has been given to many drinking water bottling units, which are reportedly the main suspects in the tapping of water. Stating that such illegal tapping and excessive release of water in other areas adversely affected the share of Periyar credit of water meant for farmers in Madurai district, the petitioners demanded immediate steps to address these issues. “Discounting the 200 cusecs being released since Sunday to Cumbum valley, there is still around 350 cusecs of water that is unaccounted. They also demanded the release of water to 45,000 acre of single-crop region in Madurai district from Peranai to Kallanthiri from Vaigai dam by June 25..