Mettur Dam Skips Canal Irrigation Release on Scheduled Date Amid Low Storage

For the second time this season, water was not released from Mettur Dam for irrigation on the scheduled date. On Saturday, August 1, the Water Resources Department (WRD) did not discharge water from Stanley Reservoir for the east and west bank canals, citing poor water availability.

Normally, the dam releases water for delta irrigation on June 12, followed by a 137-day release for canal irrigation starting August 1. This year, the June 12 release was also skipped. The canal irrigation release, which is meant to benefit over 45,000 acres across Salem, Namakkal, and Erode districts, has now been deferred indefinitely.

According to WRD data, canal irrigation from Mettur Dam began in 1955. Over the past 71 years, water has been released for this purpose 62 times — on August 1 on 35 occasions, before August 1 on 14 occasions, and after August 1 on 13 occasions. This year, the release did not take place on the expected date.

Officials said the first priority remains delta irrigation, and only after that can water be spared for canals. They added that the Indian Meteorological Department has forecast rain in Karnataka and the dam's catchment areas, which could increase inflow in the coming days.

On Saturday, the water level at Mettur Dam stood at 73.49 feet against its full capacity of 120 feet. Storage was 35.77 tmc ft against a full capacity of 93.47 tmc ft. Inflow into the dam dropped to 42 cusecs from 54 cusecs, while discharge into the Cauvery for drinking water needs was increased to 1,500 cusecs from 1,000 cusecs.

Farmers in the region have expressed concern over the delay, but officials point out that any decision on release will depend on actual rainfall and storage build-up. The situation is being closely monitored, and a revised schedule may be announced once inflow improves.