Mettur dam water delay hits Kuruvai crop, Cauvery delta farmers brace for Samba losses

Farmers across Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta are staring at another uncertain agricultural season after the Kuruvai paddy crop largely failed due to delayed Cauvery water release from the Mettur Dam.  With the Samba cultivation season set to begin on August 1, growers in Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Thiruvarur fear inadequate irrigation could once again threaten paddy production. Fields that were prepared for Kuruvai remain dry as reservoir levels continue to stay low, forcing many farmers to rely on the hope of good monsoon rains.

The failed harvest has not only reduced farm income but also affected agricultural labourers and rural livelihoods across the delta.

Farmers say they are struggling with mounting debts and are calling on the Tamil Nadu government to release irrigation water without delay, compensate them for crop losses and waive crop loans.

They warn that if water does not reach the fields soon, the upcoming Samba season could face the same fate as Kuruvai.