Spread across nearly 2,140 acres and surrounded by hills on three sides, Panamarathupatti Lake was once an important drinking water source for Salem city and Rasipuram. However, the lake has remained without substantial water for nearly two decades, affecting groundwater availability and agriculture in surrounding areas. They have urged the authorities to examine the feasibility of bringing surplus Cauvery water from the Mettur system to Panamarathupatti. Restoration efforts, they said, should begin with the removal of Seemai Karuvelam trees and encroachments obstructing natural channels feeding the lake. The long-standing proposal to bring Mettur surplus water would be examined as restoration progresses.