Mettur dam to open for Cauvery delta irrigation as inflow rises

The Mettur dam will be opened on Tuesday to release water for Cauvery delta irrigation as inflow into the reservoir rose to 10,485 cusecs. Increased discharge from Karnataka's upstream reservoirs has raised hopes among farmers preparing for paddy cultivation

Salem: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay, will open the Mettur dam on Tuesday to release water for irrigation in the Cauvery delta, even as inflow into the reservoir increased to 10,485 cubic feet per second (cusecs). The improved inflow has brought relief to farmers preparing for paddy cultivation across the delta districts.

The release is expected to support agricultural operations throughout the Cauvery basin, particularly in tail-end areas where water normally takes several days to arrive.

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Heavy rainfall in the Cauvery catchment areas of Karnataka has led to a steady increase in the storage levels of the Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar reservoirs. As the two reservoirs are filling rapidly, Karnataka authorities have increased the discharge of surplus water into the Cauvery.

The volume of surplus water released from Karnataka had been reduced during the previous two days. However, the discharge was stepped up again from Sunday, resulting in a gradual increase in the quantity of water reaching the Mettur reservoir.

According to Water Resources Department officials, inflow into the dam rose from 9,035 cusecs to 10,485 cusecs. The increased arrival of water is expected to strengthen the reservoir’s position ahead of the planned release for delta irrigation.

The water level in the dam stood at 90.47 feet, while the available storage was recorded at 53.70 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft).

Meanwhile, 2,000 cusecs continued to be released from the reservoir to meet drinking-water requirements in districts dependent on the Cauvery.

CM Vijay will formally open the sluice gates on Tuesday, marking the commencement of irrigation supply to the delta districts.

Officials are expected to regulate the discharge after assessing the reservoir’s storage, inflow from Karnataka and the requirements of farmers.

The release assumes significance as cultivators have sought an adequate and uninterrupted water supply during the paddy-growing season.

Farmers in tail-end districts have also appealed to the government to manage the available water carefully to ensure that it reaches all irrigation command areas.

The steady rise in inflow ahead of the opening of the dam is being viewed as an encouraging development for Cauvery delta agriculture. Officials will continue to monitor rainfall in Karnataka and the discharge from upstream reservoirs to assess the likely inflow into Mettur over the coming days.