Farmers in Uthukkadu village, Walajahbad taluk, Kancheepuram district, are facing agricultural challenges this year due to water scarcity caused by a clogged channel leading from the Uthukkadu irrigation tank. The channel, originally 12 feet deep and 6 feet wide, has significantly narrowed and silted, hindering water flow.
Farmers, who typically contribute funds for desilting, are currently unable to afford the ₹25,000 required to clear one kilometer of the channel, as they have incurred losses in the past year. Attempts to seek assistance from MGNREGA workers and address issues with the irrigation tank’s locks remain unresolved. The District Collector has pledged to direct officials to assess the channel for potential desilting.