The rising water level, caused by seawater intrusion due to high tide, keeps paddy farmers on their toes in Kuttanad.
Seawater ingress through Thanneermukkom barrage, a recurring problem at this time of year, has adversely affected the ongoing harvest of the paddy cultivated in additional (second) crop season and field preparation activities for the upcoming ‘puncha’ (first) crop season. Besides, intermittent heavy showers coupled with an increase in flow of floodwaters from the eastern side added to the farmers’ woes.
According to farmers, water has entered several fields in the region in recent days. Water level in the region started to rise a week ago. Water would rise around one foot in the mornings due to high tide and it would recede in the evenings. Farmers fear the sudden increase in water level in the mornings due to high tide would result in bund breaches. The intrusion of seawater is increasing salinity in the Vembanad Lake, which will be detrimental to paddy cultivation in Kuttanad.
