Tamil Nadu CM Vijay opens Mettur Dam gates, releases Cauvery water for 12 delta districts

On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay inaugurated the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur Dam, releasing Cauvery water for irrigation in 12 delta districts. This marked his inaugural release from the historic dam since assuming office. Accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues, including N Anand, Vijay pressed a button to open the gates and showered flowers and grains on the flowing waters.

Post the release, he interacted with farmers at the dam, dressed in a green shawl representing farmers and agriculture. Vijay arrived in Salem via a special flight from Chennai and traveled to Mettur by road. During his journey, he held a roadshow, waving at the crowds lining the streets. TVK cadres greeted him with enthusiasm, hoisting party flags and banners at key intersections, showering flowers on him.

The released water will support farmers in approximately 12 districts, including Thanjavur, renowned as Tamil Nadu's rice bowl. The state government stressed that the release was based on the drinking water and irrigation needs of the region, citing insufficient rainfall in the Cauvery basin during the southwest monsoon as the reason for deferring the release.

The government announced that water will be released from Mettur Dam for 45 days starting September 1, subject to storage levels and inflows. Farmers have been advised to utilize the available water judiciously and adhere to official guidelines for cultivation. Authorities have been instructed to ensure that water reaches tail-end areas and that every drop is utilized effectively to maximize irrigation benefits, adhering to the principle of "more crop per drop".

As of September 1, the water level in Mettur Dam was 91.56 feet, compared to its full reservoir level of 120 feet. While June 12 is the usual date for opening the dam's sluice gates for irrigation, the release was postponed this year due to poor monsoon conditions and low storage levels.