Idukki (Kerala): In a unique turn of events driven by the failure of the monsoon, farmers in Tamil Nadu have organised special all-faith prayers and rituals—hoping to bring rain to Kerala. The dry spell across Kerala has meant that water levels in the Mullaperiyar Dam have failed to rise, leaving Tamil Nadu farmers unable to draw water for their crops.

Led by various farmers' associations, the interfaith prayers and special pujas were held at a temple located near the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department (PWD) office. The ceremonies were spearheaded by S Manoharan, working president of the District Farmers' Association.
 

Currently, the water level at the Mullaperiyar Dam languishes at just 112.90 feet.

Typically, water from the Mullaperiyar Dam is released for agricultural purposes in Tamil Nadu during the first week of June, coinciding with the farmers sowing their first crop of the season. However, due to the severe lack of rainfall this year, the spillway shutters have remained closed.

This delay has triggered a severe crisis across five districts in Tamil Nadu that rely on the Mullaperiyar Dam not just for irrigation, but also for their drinking water supply. In the Theni district alone, over 14,707 acres of farmland depend entirely on water from Mullaperiyar.

With their livelihoods hanging in the balance, the farmers' unions turned to the "rain gods", organising the all-faith prayers in a desperate bid for the skies over Kerala to open up.