Farmers demand to control foam in Krishnagiri’s Kelavarapalli Dam

Farmers receiving water from the Kelavarapalli Dam in the Krishnagiri district have demanded that the Water Resources Department (WRD) and the Tamil Nadu Government take stern action to prevent the toxic foam in the dam.

The Kelavarapalli Dam receives water when rain lashes in Karnataka. However, for the past few years, while the inflow into the dam has increased, the toxic foam has accumulated due to sewage water allegedly discharged from Karnataka. Farmers are demanding the government continuously take steps to prevent this, yet the issue persists.

In June 2026, following rain in Karnataka, inflow into the Kelavarapalli Dam increased and foam has been accumulated in the dam since then.

Thimmaiya, a farmer, stated that when the dam receives 300 to 400 cusecs of water, the foam does not appear. However, every time the inflow exceeds 400 cusecs, foam starts accumulating, and farmers have been witnessing this issue for the past few years. Upon inquiring with officials, they claim that the sewage water released from Karnataka is the main reason for the foam, as it shows higher levels of sulphate and phosphate. The WRD and the government should take action to prevent the release of sewage water into the Then Pennai River by raising the issue with the Karnataka government, he added.

 Toxic foam in Krishnagiri district’s Kelavarapalli Dam water
| Video Credit:
N. Bashkaran