The Oorani is brimming with water, thanks to the recent rains.

The District Watershed Development Agency (DWDA), which was implementing the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) in the district, has delighted the farmers of a remote village in RS Mangalam block when it ‘unearthed’ and desilted an ‘oorani’ (waterbody), which had been in ruins for nearly a century.

Karuppankoil Oorani at the entrance of Thumbadaika Kottai village had disappeared several decades ago due to encroachments. After the village panchayat identified the area, the DWDA deepened the Oorani at the cost of Rs. 2.46 lakh.

Thanks to the recent rains, the Oorani brimmed with water, catering to the supplementary irrigation needs of farmers cultivating paddy, cotton and chilli in 20 acres around the waterbody. Last year, the agency had deepened four other Ooranies in the village at total cost of Rs. 8.5 lakh for the benefit of farmers.

“Only after seeing the records, we came to know about the existence of the Oorani. Thanks to the Agency we will be presenting the waterbody to the next generation,” village president S. Kaleeswaran said.

Headed by Collector K. Nanthakumar, the DWDA had been implementing the IWMP in 118 watersheds (villages) in Kadaladi, Kamuthi, Mudukulathur, RS Mangalam, Nainarkoil and Paramakudi blocks for the past five years for the benefit of farmers.

The Agency has created a record of sort during 2013-14 by digging 1,811 farm ponds, the highest number in the State, and deepened and desilted 340 Ooranies, Kanmais and supply channels during 2014-15, Joint Director of Agriculture and Project Officer N.V. Krishnamurthy told reporters.