Paddy farmers hit by water crisis, reject govt’s crop shift advice in Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta

Farmers across Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta are grappling with a worsening water crisis as low storage levels in the Mettur Dam delay the release of Cauvery water, threatening both paddy and vegetable cultivation.

The state government's suggestion to shift to alternative crops has drawn criticism from farmers, who argue that no crop can survive without adequate irrigation. Farmers say the delta's soil and irrigation system are designed primarily for paddy cultivation, and that any transition requires a guaranteed water supply and government support.

In Nagapattinam district, vegetable growers are also struggling as poor rainfall, intense heat, and falling groundwater levels reduce yields. Although prices of vegetables such as okra have increased, farmers say lower production has erased any financial gains.

With the southwest monsoon remaining weak, farmers are demanding timely Cauvery water release, loan waivers, and long-term irrigation measures to safeguard livelihoods in Tamil Nadu's agricultural heartland.