Asolamendha dam water for Mul, Pombhurna paddy farmers extended till November 15

Chandrapur: The Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation has approved continuing the supply of water from the Asolamendha dam till November 15, 2026. The decision has brought major relief to paddy farmers in Mul and Pombhurna talukas.

The paddy crop is currently at the grain-filling stage. If water runs short at this point, the grains remain hollow and the yield is likely to fall. Farmers were worried that if water was stopped at the crucial moment, a year's work would go to waste.

It is learnt that MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar spoke to the corporation's executive directors immediately on the matter and followed it up. He had demanded that the water supply continue till November 15, 2026. The administration accepted the demand, which has satisfied the farmers.

Paddy is cultivated on a large scale in Mul and Pombhurna talukas. The crop is at the critical filling stage and needs ample water for the grains in the ears to fill fully. If it faces water stress, the grains will stay hollow, their weight will fall and the yield could drop sharply. Continued water from the Asolamendha dam was needed so that farmers do not suffer financial loss.

For farmers, water is not just a question of irrigation. It is tied to a year's labour and the financial stability of their families. A timely decision is necessary so that water is available just when the crop needs it most.

MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar understood the farmers' difficulties in time and put the matter firmly before the administration. The decision will avert the possible damage to the paddy crop. With water available at the crucial filling stage, there is relief and satisfaction among farmers.