TN: Mettur dam nears 87 ft, raising hopes of water release for delta irrigation

Salem, Aug 24 (IANS) The water level in the Mettur dam is steadily rising following an increase in inflow from the Cauvery, raising hopes that water could soon be released for irrigation in delta districts if the trend continues.

Water was not released from the reservoir for kuruvai cultivation this year because storage remained inadequate. The shortage has affected farmers across the Cauvery delta, where crops cultivated with water have begun to wither amid the lack of irrigation supply.

After Karnataka increased releases from its reservoirs into the Cauvery, the inflow into Mettur has risen to 13,538 cubic feet per second (cusecs), while only 2,000 cusecs are being discharged to meet drinking-water requirements.

Since the inflow is substantially higher than the outflow, the reservoir level has continued to climb. It stood at 86.83 feet on Sunday evening and is now approaching the 87-foot mark.

Officials expect the level to touch 90 feet in the coming days if inflows remain at the present rate.

Water Resources Department officials said sustained inflows could create favourable conditions for opening the dam for delta irrigation after the reservoir crosses 90 feet. However, any decision on releasing water is expected to depend on storage, supplies from Karnataka and the immediate irrigation needs of farmers.

The Mettur dam is the principal source of water for irrigation in the Cauvery delta, and its annual opening is crucial for kuruvai paddy cultivation. In normal years, water is released on June 12 to facilitate timely agricultural operations. This year’s poor storage, however, prevented the customary opening and forced many farmers to depend on groundwater, rainfall and other limited sources.

The delay has caused concern in the delta as standing crops face moisture stress.

Farmers have been awaiting a sustained rise in the reservoir’s level so that irrigation supplies can be restored before crop damage becomes more widespread. Officials are closely monitoring the inflow and the storage position.

While the recent increase has improved the outlook, they indicated that stable inflows over the next several days would be essential before a release could be considered. If the current pattern continues, the dam’s improving storage could provide relief to farmers and help save crops in parts of the delta.

The government is expected to review the situation once the water level reaches the 90-foot mark.

–IANS

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