CM C. Joseph Vijay to Open Mettur Dam for Delta Irrigation on September 1
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is scheduled to release water from the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur on September 1 to support irrigation across the Cauvery delta region. The release will continue for a duration of 45 days, following an announcement by Minister for Water Resources N. Anand.
What Happened
According to an official statement by Water Resources Minister N. Anand, the state administration decided to release water from Mettur dam in Salem district after assessing drinking water demands and agricultural needs across the delta. The decision was taken despite low rainfall in the Cauvery basin during the southwest monsoon, and follows appeals submitted by local farmers and members of the public.
At the start of the 2026–27 water year, the Stanley Reservoir held 41.223 tmcft of water. Continuous irrigation releases had earlier been restrained because Karnataka reservoirs did not discharge sufficient supplies and the dam had to maintain a minimum baseline reserve of 10 tmcft. Even during that period, essential releases were sustained to fulfill critical drinking water requirements.
To secure the state’s allocated share, the government pursued legal and administrative steps before the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, the Cauvery Water Management Authority, and the Supreme Court. These proceedings resulted in orders securing water releases for Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu. With gradual storage increases at Mettur, anticipated inflows, and the approaching northeast monsoon, the government finalized the 45-day release schedule.
Key Highlights
- Water from Mettur dam will be released on September 1 by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for a planned period of 45 days.
- Storage at the Mettur reservoir stood at 41.223 tmcft at the beginning of the 2026–27 water year.
- Prior irrigation discharges were paused to protect the reservoir’s minimum 10 tmcft buffer while continuing drinking water supply.
- Legal and regulatory interventions before the Supreme Court, CWRC, and CWMA secured water releases at Biligundlu.
- Farmers have been advised to utilize supplies judiciously and align cultivation with Agriculture Department recommendations.
- District Collectors and officials from the Water Resources and Agriculture departments must coordinate to ensure water reaches tail-end areas.
Why This Matters
The scheduled release provides essential surface water for agricultural activities in the Cauvery delta after periods of inadequate rainfall during the southwest monsoon. Balancing minimum reservoir thresholds with drinking water priorities and legal water allocations ensures delta farming can proceed under monitored distribution guidelines.
What to Watch Next
The water release is set to commence on September 1, with administrative monitoring across districts to ensure flows reach tail-end regions. Observers will also track upcoming inflows and the onset of the northeast monsoon over the 45-day operational period.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will water be released from the Mettur dam?
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will release the water from the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur on September 1.
How long will the irrigation release continue?
Minister for Water Resources N. Anand announced that water will be discharged for a period of 45 days.
What was the dam’s storage level at the start of the 2026–27 water year?
The reservoir recorded a storage level of 41.223 tmcft at the beginning of the 2026–27 water year, while maintaining a mandatory baseline threshold of 10 tmcft.
Source: Based on an official release reported by The Hindu.