CM Vijay to release water from Mettur dam on September 1 for delta irrigation

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced on Wednesday that water will be released from Mettur Dam's Stanley Reservoir in Salem district for irrigation in the Cauvery delta region, beginning on September 1. The decision to release water for 45 days was made considering the state's drinking water requirements and the irrigation needs of the Cauvery delta, despite scant rainfall during the southwest monsoon.

At the start of the 2026-27 water year, Mettur Dam only had 41.223 tmcft of water. To prevent the dam from dipping below its minimum storage level of 10 tmcft, water release had to be limited, but adequate water was still released to fulfill essential drinking water needs. The Tamil Nadu government has pursued legal and administrative measures to secure its share of Cauvery water, including presenting its case before the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and the Cauvery Water Management Authority, and seeking Supreme Court orders to protect the state's legitimate water rights.

The government expects the northeast monsoon's inflow and Mettur Dam's rising water levels to support its decision. Farmers are urged to use the released water wisely and follow agricultural advice, while District Collectors and Water Resources/Agriculture Department officials are directed to coordinate water distribution to tail-end areas.