Even though Western Ghats has been receiving heavy rains in the last few days, the water flow to Bhavani river – the lifeline of Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode – has been blocked due to the check dam constructed by Kerala, Kongunadu Jananayaka Katchi (KJK) said today.

“Though the Tamil Nadu Government and the then Chief Minister, O. Paneerselvam, approached the Supreme Court to prevent Kerala from constructing the dam at six places, including Manjakandi and Thekuvattai, the State lawyers failed to argue properly and prevent the construction activities,” KJK founder-leader, G.K. Nagaraj said on Friday.

“The rain water has stagnated in a two kilo metre area in Kerala side, after completion of the two dams, which has resulted in blocking inflow to Bhavani river, depriving water to drinking purpose for human and cattle and irrigation. As the Kerala Government has decided to construct four more dams and once completed, the entire Kongu region, comprising eight Western districts will become desert, thus seriously affecting the livelihood of lakhs of farmers,” Nagaraj said in a statement.

Considering the seriousness of the issue, Tamil Nadu government should immediately constitute a committee to review the situation and meet Kerala Chief minister and prevent further construction of dams, he said.

“The government should immediately approach the Supreme Court and obtain a stay. The KJK, in consultations with other political parties and organisations, will meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to exert pressure on the issue,” Nagaraj added.