400 acres of paddy field submerged under water, farmers urge action by authorities

Edathirinji: More than 400 acres of paddy fields in the Edathirinji cole fields have been submerged under water after water was released through a check dam in Kammatithode stream to avoid water-logging in the Pothani fields. Water was released through the check dam the other day with the intervention of the panchayat and the police. Meanwhile, the cole fields got flooded by the move, immersing the newly sown saplings completely in the water.

The farmers of the Edathirinji cole field group farming society said that around 165 farmers who rely on agriculture for their livelihood is now staring at a crisis. Edathirinji cole fields that sprawl over 256 acres as well as the 138 acres of land tilled by the Oorpathi Cole Karshaka Sangham have been completely immersed in water.

Rainwater from the surrounding five square kilometres that includes Irinjalakkuda, Kizhuthani, Kavupura, Thanissery, Korumbissery, Kandeshwaram, Koodalmanikyam and Padinjarubagam flows to the Pothani paddy fields. Meanwhile, the farmers allege that the current crisis aroused as this water was released into the cole fields instead of releasing it to the Shanmugham canal via Themalithara stream. Although they had urged the Padiyoor panchayat, Krishi Bhavan and district collector to swiftly find a solution to avert this crisis, no action has been taken so far.

The district panchayat had granted a 50 HP pump, Padiyoor panchayat allowed ₹15 lakh for building a motor shed and Minister Bindu had also granted ₹15 lakh to avoid water-logging in the Pothanikadav paddy fields. However, Pothani Padasekhara Samiti has not been able to implement this project. The farmers of the Edathirinji Colepadam group farming society urged the authorities to immediately allow a motor and other arrangements for the Pothani paddy fields to drain away the water.