Dindigul farmers a apprehensive lot as storage levels in dams dips - The HinduPublished - October 09, 2026 10:11 pm IST - DindigulWater scarcity | Photo Credit: Rajesh RThe effects of microclimate change along with the El Niño factor are creating an anomalous situation for the water managers and residents of Dindigul district. The city has seen an increase in localised rain activity, while the catchment areas of the various dams in the district are seeing very negligible rainfall.Recently, on September 14, Dindigul city recorded 84.10 mm of rainfall, next day it recorded 64 mm and on September 28, the city saw 52.20 mm of rainfall, while catchment areas of dams lying near the Western Ghats in the district have remained dry.This phenomenon is linked to the urban heat island effect – due to the heavy concentration of concrete structures in one particular area. Due to this, residents are experiencing oppressive daytime heat. This intense warm air when it meets the prevailing low-pressure system in the State results in isolated thunderstorms and dumping of heavy rain in a concentrated area.If one takes the Palani subdivision, there are three primary dams - Palar-Porundalar dam, Varathamanathi dam and Kuthiraiyaru dam.“Last week Palani town experienced rain, but the catchment areas of these dams saw no sufficient rainfall,” says a WRD official. The Palar-Porundalar dam collects water from two streams—the Palar River and the Porundalar River. These streams get water only if there is heavy rain in Poombarai and Vilpatti in Kodaikanal hills. “This time last year all the three dams in Palani subdivision had water, but this year’s poor monsoon has aggravated the problem,” the official says.As the Palar-Porundalar dam is the primary source of drinking water for the Palani Murugan Hill Temple and this year, due to less water storage, sources say that the temple authorities have been advised to use water judiciously.Apart from monsoon vagaries, politics in the region has also played a big role in some dams failing to get any inflow.T. Ramasamy, president of Save Kodaganar Association, says that the Kodaganar dam near Vedasandur which was opened in 1994, has nil water storage. “Even if there is rain in the Western ghats, we are deprived of water,” he points out. Only after the Kamarajar dam at Athoor reaches full capacity is the excess water released to flow into the Kodaganar dam.“But, for various political reasons, near Narasingapuram, a check-dam like barrier has been erected and this diverts the water to the Raja Vaikkal so that it irrigates areas in the northern part of Dindigul. Now, the little water that flows into Kodaganar is the waste let out from the Dindigul municipality and from the numerous cotton mills established in this area,” Mr. Ramasamy adds.With the district strategically placed at the leeward side of the Western Ghats, moisture-laden air passing over the crest from the eastern catchment area loses steam and creates a dry rain shadow in this belt. This, along with global climate change and with no proper roadmap to mitigate the problems that the farmers are anticipating, the only prayer is that the rain god will be merciful during the Northeast monsoon.Published - October 09, 2026 10:11 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }