Farmers in ten villages in the Lower Bhavani project ayacut area on Monday hoisted black flags protesting non-release of water from the reservoir for irrigation.

Water from Lower Bhavani Project reservoir is the lifeline of farmers in Erode district and it irrigates more than 2.50 lakh acres of land.

As per schedule water would be allowed from the reservoir for wet crops for four months from August 15 and dry crops for another four months from December 15.

But this year despite farmers' request no announcement over release of water for old ayacut lands of Lower Bhavani project has been made by the government, farmers said.

Farmers in ten villages, including Pasuvapatty, Uppiliyapalayam and Ottavalasu, hoisted black lags protesting against this.

LBP farmers have already announced that they will resort to a major agitation on August 23 demanding release of water in LBP canal.