Kumarapalayam farmers struggle as crops wither without water

NAMAKKAL: Farmers in Kumarapalayam region in Namakkal district are facing an acute water crisis as rains failed and water is yet to be released from Mettur dam. More than 20 lakes in Kumarapalayam, Pallipalayam and Veppadai dried up completely.

The region relies heavily on agriculture as a primary livelihood, with farmers traditionally cultivating paddy, turmeric, banana and sugarcane across thousands of acres.Hundreds of acres of farmland prepared for cultivation lie fallow as farmers, who borrowed money to plant paddy, turmeric, banana and sugarcane, are unable to irrigate their crops. Wilting plants have left farmers fearing about the loss of livelihood and mounting debts.K Viswanathan, a farmer in Kumarapalayam, said, “We borrowed money to plant turmeric and banana, but now the crops are drying. Without water, how can we survive? How will we repay the loans?”V Ramasamy, a farmer in Veppadai, said, “The lakes that once sustained our fields are now bone-dry. Even drinking water has become scarce. If the govt does not intervene, many of us will be forced to abandon farming altogether.”Locals and social activists joined farmers in demanding urgent action by the Tamil Nadu govt, seeking immediate field inspections to assess the situation.

They called for relief measures including financial assistance, alternative arrangements for irrigation and emergency support to safeguard livelihoods.Community activist S Selvi said, “This is not just about crops; this is about the survival of families who depend on agriculture. The govt must treat this as an emergency and provide relief before farmers are pushed into irreversible losses.”