Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 73
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 74
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Code Context
            if (Configure::read('debug')) {

                trigger_error($message, E_USER_WARNING);

            } else {
$response = object(Cake\Http\Response) {

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    <link rel="canonical" href="https://im4change.in/<pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67f962d8e4fea-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67f962d8e4fea-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined variable: urlPrefix [<b>APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp</b>, line <b>8</b>]<div id="cakeErr67f962d8e4fea-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67f962d8e4fea-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67f962d8e4fea-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr67f962d8e4fea-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr67f962d8e4fea-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr67f962d8e4fea-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"></span><span style="color: #007700">&lt;</span><span style="color: #0000BB">head</span><span style="color: #007700">&gt;
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-TheWire.in

Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.

Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate....&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-TheWire.in

Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.

Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate....&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.

Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate...."/>
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                <strong>Beyond Drought: Tamil Nadu&#039;s Chain of Misfortunes -Seetha Gopalakrishnan</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-TheWire.in<br /><br /><em>Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.<br /></em><br /><em>Tamil Nadu: </em>That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.<br /><br />From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.<br /><br />But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.<br /><br /><em>Impending farm crisis<br /></em><br />The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.<br /><br />While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.<br /><br />Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.<br /><br />&ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.<br /><br />The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.<br /><br />Please <a href="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/" title="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>               </font>
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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-TheWire.in

Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.

Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate....&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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	&#039;title&#039; =&gt; &#039;Beyond Drought: Tamil Nadu&amp;#039;s Chain of Misfortunes -Seetha Gopalakrishnan&#039;,
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
	&#039;credit_writer&#039; =&gt; &#039;TheWire.in, 13 February, 2017, https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&#039;,
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-TheWire.in

Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.

Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate....&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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                <strong>Beyond Drought: Tamil Nadu&#039;s Chain of Misfortunes -Seetha Gopalakrishnan</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-TheWire.in<br /><br /><em>Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.<br /></em><br /><em>Tamil Nadu: </em>That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.<br /><br />From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.<br /><br />But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.<br /><br /><em>Impending farm crisis<br /></em><br />The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.<br /><br />While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.<br /><br />Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.<br /><br />&ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.<br /><br />The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.<br /><br />Please <a href="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/" title="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>               </font>
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-TheWire.in

Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.

Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate....&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;&#039;,
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-TheWire.in

Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.

Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate....&#039;
$disp = &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-TheWire.in&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tamil Nadu: &lt;/em&gt;That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&amp;rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Impending farm crisis&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&amp;rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&amp;rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &amp;ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&amp;rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot; title=&quot;https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.

Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate...."/>
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                <strong>Beyond Drought: Tamil Nadu&#039;s Chain of Misfortunes -Seetha Gopalakrishnan</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-TheWire.in<br /><br /><em>Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.<br /></em><br /><em>Tamil Nadu: </em>That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.<br /><br />From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.<br /><br />But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.<br /><br /><em>Impending farm crisis<br /></em><br />The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.<br /><br />While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.<br /><br />Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.<br /><br />&ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.<br /><br />The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.<br /><br />Please <a href="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/" title="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>               </font>
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-TheWire.in<br />
<br />
<em>Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.<br />
</em><br />
<em>Tamil Nadu: </em>That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.<br />
<br />
From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.<br />
<br />
But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.<br />
<br />
<em>Impending farm crisis<br />
</em><br />
The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.<br />
<br />
While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.<br />
<br />
Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.<br />
<br />
The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.<br />
<br />
Please <a href="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/">click here</a> to read more. <br />
</div>',
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-TheWire.in

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Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate....',
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-TheWire.in<br />
<br />
<em>Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.<br />
</em><br />
<em>Tamil Nadu: </em>That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.<br />
<br />
From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.<br />
<br />
But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.<br />
<br />
<em>Impending farm crisis<br />
</em><br />
The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.<br />
<br />
While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.<br />
<br />
Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.<br />
<br />
The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.<br />
<br />
Please <a href="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/">click here</a> to read more. <br />
</div>',
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-TheWire.in

Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.

Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate....'
$disp = '<div align="justify">-TheWire.in<br /><br /><em>Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons.<br /></em><br /><em>Tamil Nadu: </em>That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation.<br /><br />From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses.<br /><br />But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat.<br /><br /><em>Impending farm crisis<br /></em><br />The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help.<br /><br />While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country&rsquo;s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical.<br /><br />Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy.<br /><br />&ldquo;Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.&rdquo; Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India.<br /><br />The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. &ldquo;Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,&rdquo; asserts Janakarajan.<br /><br />Please <a href="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/" title="https://thewire.in/108153/beyond-drought-tamil-nadus-misfortunes/">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>'
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Beyond Drought: Tamil Nadu's Chain of Misfortunes -Seetha Gopalakrishnan

-TheWire.in Tamil Nadu continues to witness cycles of flood and drought annually. Mismanagement of traditional water management systems is one of the main reasons. Tamil Nadu: That Tamil Nadu qualifies to be dubbed as a land of climate paradoxes is beyond debate. The massive flood of 2015 was quickly followed by a punishing drought in 2016. Though the state benefited marginally from the southwest monsoon, as is usually the case, the biggest letdown was the manner in which the more dominant northeast monsoon panned out. Tamil Nadu wound up with a paltry 168.3 mm of rainfall during the northeast monsoon season as against the normal 440.4 mm, leaving the state with an overall deficit of close to 62% of the long-term expected average precipitation. From Cauvery to Kollidam, innumerable dams and irrigation channels remain bone dry in the delta districts. Most reservoirs reached dead storage levels from the Vaigai dam in Madurai to the Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli down south. As a consequence, around 102 farmers, mostly farm labourers and marginal farmers, have either taken their lives or suffered fatal heart attacks owing to crop losses. But are poor monsoons alone to be blamed for Tamil Nadu’s predicament? Not really. The state is neck-deep in crises ranging from tricky interstate water sharing disputes to wretched centre-state relations that caring for and sustaining local water resources often takes a backseat. Impending farm crisis The clamour for declaring Tamil Nadu drought-hit commenced in late December 2016 when the state recorded deficits close to 70% of the long-term average and the massive wind cyclone Vardah offered little help. While the Cauvery dispute and the impish northeast monsoon hogged the limelight, a more serious trouble which has been brewing for years remained on the backburner. Tamil Nadu is one of the country’s top groundwater guzzlers with 142 out of the total 385 blocks classified as over-exploiters of underground water sources. This means that the extraction of groundwater outstrips recharge, resulting in severe resource crunch. In addition, another 33 blocks have been termed critical while 57 remain semi-critical. Professor S. Janakarajan from the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) points out that 80% of all drinking water needs and 70% of gross irrigated area in the state are solely dependent on groundwater. In addition, 90% of industries depend on underground sources to satisfy their water needs. This cements the fact that groundwater is currently indispensable, playing a pivotal role in sustaining both rural and urban economy. “Given the current situation, conservation of groundwater should be accorded utmost importance. But what we see today is a grave mismatch between extraction and recharge, with the former far exceeding the latter. And this has been escalating by the year.” Janakarajan goes on to explain that unmindful depletion of this crucial resource will result in desertification, further stifling water-intensive agricultural systems practised in many places across India. The best way to insure against water scarcity and future desertification, he says, is to maintain and protect small water bodies such as tanks, lakes and ponds- something Tamil Nadu is blessed with. Every village has 15-20 small water bodies such as irrigation, drinking water and cattle ponds. Including large irrigation tanks, the total number of water bodies exceed one lakh in the state. These surface water bodies, in addition to holding water, help regulate local microclimate and crucial groundwater recharge. “Essentially, protection and maintenance of small waterbodies is a type of local insurance against drought and hence should be taken up in earnest,” asserts Janakarajan. Please click here to read more.