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Following the discussions, the assistant engineer assured the farmers that water would be released to the Thekkethara main canal on an emergency basis to ensure that it reaches the affected paddy fields.
They said their paddy fields were facing a severe water shortage. The protest was organised by Puthentharapadam paddy farmers’ committee, with farmers from Melarkode, Thekkethara, Valathala, Thekkumpuram, Kottekulam and Chittilanchery participating. The farmers also urged the irrigation department to complete the pending maintenance works and ensure uninterrupted water supply through the canal to prevent further damage to the crops.
Palakkad : Farmers in Melarkode, near Alathur, staged a protest at Pothundi irrigation department assistant engineer’s office on Thursday, alleging that water released through the Pothundi right-bank canal had failed to reach several paddy fields even five days after the canal was opened.