More than 1,800 acres of paddy fields near Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu are at risk of drying up as farmers wait for rain and water from Veeranam Lake.

Farmers in Perungaloor, Mugaiyur, Pannapattu and Kodiyalam had directly sown paddy, relying on monsoon rainfall. But even 20 days after sowing, the region has received little to no rain, while water has not been released from Veeranam Lake.

With the fields turning dry and cracks appearing in the soil, farmers fear major crop losses if water does not reach the fields soon.

Farmers said an immediate release of water from Veeranam Lake could help save the crops. However, irrigation channels connected to the Chandran Canal are also clogged with water hyacinth and weeds, restricting water flow.

They have urged authorities to release water from the lake and clear the blocked channels before the standing crops suffer further damage.

With PTI inputs