Farmers in Tamil Nadu's Salem district have urged the Water Resources Department (WRD) and the Salem City Municipal Corporation to restore a damaged check dam across the Thirumanimutharu River near Kondalampatti, warning that its continued deterioration has cut off water supply to two major irrigation tanks even during heavy rainfall spells.

The Core Problem

The damaged structure at the Kondalampatti anaicut has prevented water from reaching Kottanathan Lake at Neikkarapatti and the downstream Poolavari Lake, both of which have historically supported agriculture and groundwater recharge across surrounding villages. Farmers say the two lakes have remained dry despite seasonal rainfall, rendering agricultural land unproductive.

The Thirumanimutharu River originates in the Shevaroy Hills, flows through Salem city, and eventually joins the Cauvery River. Traditionally, the check dam stored and diverted surplus river flow through the Neikkarapatti head sluice into Kottanathan Lake, with excess water cascading further into Poolavari Lake to sustain irrigation and replenish groundwater reserves.

How the Damage Occurred

According to farmers, the check dam sustained partial damage during the Salem City Municipal Corporation's Thirumanimutharu River Beautification Project, which involved constructing retaining walls and clearing obstructions to improve water flow. They allege the damaged check dam was never restored after the project concluded, severing the river's traditional irrigation network.

Although the Neikkarapatti head sluice was constructed in 2012 to regulate water diversion, farmers say it has remained largely ineffective because the check dam can no longer retain sufficient water upstream. As a result, water continues to flow downstream through the river rather than entering the supply channel that feeds the two lakes.

Compounding Factors

Farmers also flagged that the supply channel and stretches of the river have become heavily overgrown with shrubs and vegetation, further restricting water movement even during periods of good inflow. They expressed concern over stagnant water and the discharge of untreated effluents into the river, which they said has adversely affected water quality across several stretches.

Notably, this is not merely a local infrastructure failure — it represents a broader pattern seen across Tamil Nadu where river beautification projects have, in some cases, inadvertently disrupted traditional water-harvesting systems built over decades.

Government Response and What Comes Next

A senior WRD official in Salem said a proposal to renovate the Neikkarapatti supply channel has already been submitted under the state government's budget announcement. Detailed project estimates have been prepared and forwarded for administrative approval. The department expects renovation work to commence once the proposal receives sanction and the required funds are released. Farmers, however, stress that restoring the check dam itself — not just the supply channel — is essential to reviving the irrigation network and ensuring rainwater currently flowing away unused is effectively captured.