Low reservoir levels in Tamil Nadu raise concern for farmers and water managers

Papanasam held about 42 feet of water on October 9 against a 143-foot capacity, while Manimuthar stood at 59 feet out of 118. Farmers and local bodies fear the effects of weak monsoon rainfall.

Falling storage in the Papanasam and Manimuthar reservoirs has heightened concern in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. The Hindu reported that on October 9, Papanasam stood at 42 feet against a maximum of 143 feet, while Manimuthar was at 59 feet out of 118. Oneindia’s figures for the same day also put Papanasam at roughly 42 to 43 feet and Manimuthar at 59 feet.

At this point last year, Papanasam was at 85 feet and Manimuthar at 91 feet, The Hindu reported. The paper attributed the current low levels to poor rainfall during the southwest monsoon seasons in both the previous and current years, as well as a weak northeast monsoon last year.

The shortage has already affected farming. The Hindu said some farmers near irrigation channels continued cautiously, while cultivation in other areas contracted or stopped. N. Balamurugan, a farmer from Palayamkottai, told the paper that growers were hesitant to prepare for the ‘pisanam’ paddy season because crops could be lost to drought or intense rain over a short period.

The reservoirs also support drinking-water supplies. The Hindu reported that local bodies draw water through 236 infiltration wells between Papanasam and Punnaikayal. A local official warned the paper that another weak northeast monsoon could worsen conditions from February.

Lower releases are also affecting power generation. Officials quoted by The Hindu said a discharge of 379 cubic feet per second from Papanasam was supporting about 7 megawatts of output, compared with a maximum capacity of 32 MW. Generation at the Servalar facility had stopped after the reservoir fell to 55 feet. Water must be above 60 feet there for power production.