Work on checkdam in Kerala stokes Tamil Nadu farmers' fears

COIMBATORE: A team of Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) officials which on Friday visited Vattavada in Idukki district of Kerala where a checkdam is being built across Silandhi, a tributary of river Amaravathi in Tamil Nadu, has submitted a report to senior officials who will present it to the state govt on Monday.
The neighbouring state's move has sparked opposition from farmers of Tirupur, who fear the checkdam would hinder water flow to Amaravathy dam in Udumalpet, a key source of irrigation of more than 55,000 acres in Tirupur and Karur districts.The farmers have announced a protest at Dharapuram on May 27.
Even political parties have jumped into the fray. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed DMK govt for 'being a mute spectator' to Kerala's move.
WRD officials say the check dam, which is 40 metres long and 2 metres tall, is across the Silandhi which is a tributary of Thenar that merges with the Amaravathy. Originating in the western slopes of Munnar, Amaravathy flows for 222 km before draining into the Cauvery at Thirumukudal near Mayanur in Karur district.
Farmers say the checkdam would lower water flow in Amaravathy. Velu Sivakumar, farmers wing deputy secretary of VCK, said Tamil Nadu govt should intervene.
"Kerala says the checkdam is for drinking water needs. But I visited the dam site and talked tp people in the area who said the dam was built for the sake of drinking water companies there," he said. Other farmers say agriculture would become uncertain if a key resource suffers poor inflow.
EPS demanded that chief minister M K Stalin take legal steps in the issue.
"Andhra Pradesh has built several checkdams across Palar. Karnataka is trying to build Mekedatu across Cauvery. Now the Communist govt in Kerala has sought to prevent water flow in Amaravathi through a checkdam."