CHENNAI: Out of the 14,139 tanks maintained by the Water Resources Department (WRD) across the state, 2,802 tanks (20%) are completely dry, while water levels in 5,963 (40%) are below 25%, according to WRD data accessed by TNIE.
The situation is particularly concerning in districts like Madurai and Tirunelveli. Out of 1,340 tanks in Madurai, 487 have no water and 419 of 780 tanks in Tirunelveli are dry.
Official sources pointed out that the lack of proper links between tanks and reservoirs, coupled with encroachments, is making it difficult to maintain water storage in these waterbodies, even when the state had substantial rainfall this year.
K Subramanian, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, told TNIE, “According to the IMD data, the state has received 19% more rainfall than usual during the southwest monsoon this year. Additionally, there was good inflow in the Cauvery belt. However, many irrigation tanks in the delta districts remain dry.”
Subramanian further explained that farmers in the delta used to cultivate crops in all three seasons — Thaladi, Kuruvai, and Samba — every year. Now, due to water shortage, most farmers have restricted their farming to just two seasons.
Several canals, small waterbodies, and pathways essential for irrigation have been encroached upon, and no action has been taken to address this issue. K Raghuraman, a farmer from Mannargudi, urged the government to immediately identify and restore all encroached irrigation tanks, considering future water needs and the growing population.
A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “In the past, the WRD maintained nearly 30,000 tanks across the state. Now, that number has reduced by 50%. The state government must allocate sufficient funds to preserve these tanks and regular maintenance is essential. Compared to neighbouring states, Tamil Nadu’s budget for the WRD is quite low.”
The official also noted that although the WRD and revenue departments work together to address encroachments, political pressure often hampers the efforts.