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Why do parts of Tamil Nadu depend on irrigation reservoirs called tanks?
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Tamil Nadu
Shore Temple, Mamallapuram, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
In Tamil Nadu, farmers have long relied on irrigation reservoirs, known as "tanks," primarily to conserve scarce rainwater. This practice is essential because the state's river valley projects often depend on water supplied by the erratic northeast monsoon. By capturing and storing rainwater in these reservoirs, farmers can secure a more reliable water supply for their crops despite the unpredictable nature of seasonal rainfall.12