 There are thousands of power looms standing idle due to a workforce that is focussed on migrating to other towns is search of higher pay in other industries.Lack of irrigation projects has led to frequent draughts even though a large river (Cauvery) flows just 10 km from the town.Now the present Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami proposed diversion of 0.5tmcft of Mettur surplus water to Salem tanks for a total cost of 565 Crores.