Alappuzha: Chengannur block panchayat, which was hit by the floods in August last, is in the grip of drought with the mercury rising and ponds and wells drying up.
The farm ponds constructed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREG) scheme have been filled up with silt post-flood. The block panchayat had earlier constructed 160 farm ponds in eight panchayats to fight drought.
Venmony panchayat is the worst-affected as 69 ponds have vanished. The next come Budhanoor (27) and Puliyoor (26). G. Vivek, vice-president of the block panchayat, said water kiosks would be set up in every institution in the area farm ponds would be restored.
The farmers in Chengannur mostly cultivate betals, plantains, vegetables and paddy that require continuous water supply. Currently the Pampa irrigation project provides water on alternate days to irrigate the crops. If the water level goes down further, the water woes in the area would worsen," he said. K. Anil, a farmer from Pandanad, said that if the farmers do not get enough water, they would suspend cultivation. Karthika Anil, accredited engineer, MGNREG, Chengannur block panchayat, said the floods had changed the demography of Chengannur. "All water streams have vanished and paddy fields are filled up with silt. This is the time the farmers need more water," she said.
The farm ponds help retain water in the paddy fields and ensure irrigation. "We have reclaimed eight farm ponds in Chengannur area and at least 35 ponds and water streams are being reclaimed. The wells have become dry and crops have been damaged," she said.
