Tiruchi Farmers Demand Loan Waivers and Halt to Mekedatu Dam Project
• Farmers in Pullambadi, Tiruchi district, Tamil Nadu, held a demonstration on August 10, 2026, demanding a full waiver of crop loans and opposing Karnataka's proposal to construct a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu on the Cauvery River.
• Organized by various farmers' associations, the protest called for compensation of ₹15,000 per acre for farmers unable to cultivate kuruvai paddy and an incentive of ₹20,000 per acre for samba cultivation.
Impact & Risks
The proposed Mekedatu dam project has reignited tensions over Cauvery water sharing between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Farmers in Tamil Nadu fear reduced water availability for irrigation, which could impact agricultural productivity. The demand for loan waivers reflects the financial distress faced by farmers, exacerbated by water shortages.
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