Following intense pressure from the farming community, authorities have increased water discharge from the Bhavanisagar dam to 2,100 cusecs. This critical move aims to prevent the total loss of standing crops across the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) regions.

  • Water release into LBP canal increased to 2,100 cusecs on August 17.
  • Irrigation support extended to 2.07 lakh acres across Erode, Karur, and Tiruppur.
  • Current reservoir storage stands at 6.40 tmc ft against a capacity of 32.80 tmc ft.

In a significant relief for the agricultural sector in Tamil Nadu, the release of water from the Bhavanisagar dam into the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal was ramped up to 2,100 cusecs on Monday, August 17. The decision follows a series of persistent demands and protests by farmers who feared the imminent loss of their standing crops due to severe water shortages.

The Bhavanisagar dam is a lifeline for the region, catering to the irrigation needs of approximately 2.07 lakh acres under the LBP system across the districts of Erode, Karur, and Tiruppur. Additionally, it supports the ayacut areas of the Kalingarayan, Arakkankottai, and Thadapalli canal systems. Due to poor reservoir storage this season, the scheduled water releases were delayed, triggering widespread anxiety among the farming community.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the reliance on a single reservoir for such a vast agricultural expanse creates a high-risk vulnerability to monsoon fluctuations. When the water level drops to nearly 50% of its capacity, the competition between irrigation for crops and drinking water for livestock becomes a flashpoint for social unrest, highlighting the urgent need for diversified water sourcing.

"Strategic water rationing during low-storage periods is the only way to mitigate total crop failure in drought-prone belts."

The crisis reached a boiling point as LBP farmers staged three separate protests, demanding water not only for their crops but also to meet the basic drinking water requirements of their cattle. In response, on August 15, the administration sanctioned a 15-day window for the 'special wetting' of crops across 1,03,500 acres. While the initial discharge was set at 500 cusecs, it was aggressively increased to 2,100 cusecs by Monday and is expected to be maintained at 2,300 cusecs.

As of Monday afternoon, the water level in the dam was recorded at 57.25 feet, significantly lower than its full reservoir level of 105 feet. The current inflow is a modest 1,233 cusecs. Currently, 700 cusecs are being diverted to the Arakkankottai and Thadapalli canals, while 100 cusecs are reserved for the Bhavani river to sustain drinking water needs.

Metric Current Status Full Capacity
Water Level (Feet) 57.25 105
Storage (tmc ft) 6.40 32.80
Did You Know?: The Bhavanisagar dam is one of the largest reservoirs in Tamil Nadu and is critical for maintaining the groundwater table of the surrounding plains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why was the water release increased to 2,100 cusecs?
A: The increase was a direct response to farmer protests aimed at saving standing crops from wilting due to lack of water.

Q2: What is the current storage level of the dam?
A: The current storage is 6.40 tmc ft, which is roughly 19.5% of its total capacity of 32.80 tmc ft.