NAMAKKAL: In March 2025, farmers in Veerappampalayam village in Namakkal district thought that summer 2026 would be different for them as officials performed a puja to build a reservoir on a parcel of poramboke land which would help them meet their irrigation requirements. But nothing happened after that as funds have not been allocated. And the farmers are staring at water shortage this time too as summer started. The farmers said they had submitted several petitions to district officials for almost a decade demanding construction of concrete bunds around the parcel poramboke land and converted it into a reservoir. “If bunds had been constructed, rainwater could have been stored. Now rainwater is wasted,” said K Rajangam, a farmer. “Many people here raise cattle. Summer has started, and there is a possibility of severe water shortage this time,” he added. Farmers met officials several times in the last one year urging them to start work. “They didn’t tell us why work had not started even after the puja was performed,” he added. When TOI contacted, a public works department official said they had sent a proposal seeking allocation of Rs 60 lakh. “But we have not received the funds yet. We will start work once funds are allocated,” the official said.