The Lower Bhavani Farmers Association claimed that the yagam conducted by Public Works Department at Bhavanisagar dam seeking divine intervention to bring rain was primarily a tactic to divert the attention of the people from the ineffective water management practices that took place in the dam this year.

The authorities in the district had let out a large amount of water to the old ayacuts of Bhavani river violating the government orders and without considering the requirements of the farmers in LBP ayacut, association president S. Nallasamy told media persons on Monday.