Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is scheduled to open the sluice gates of the Mettur Dam in Salem district on Tuesday, September 1, marking the release of Cauvery water for irrigation in the state’s delta region. The water release is planned for 45 days, subject to the reservoir’s storage level and inflows.

The decision comes after a delay in the annual opening of the dam, which is traditionally scheduled for June 12 to support cultivation in the Cauvery Delta. This year, inadequate rainfall and lower water availability in the Cauvery basin delayed the release. The state government has now decided to release water considering the irrigation requirements of delta farmers as well as drinking-water needs. 

CM Vijay scheduled to open gates at Mettur

Vijay is expected to reach Salem district and open the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur at around 10 am on September 1. The move will enable the release of Cauvery water into the irrigation network serving the delta districts.

This will also be Vijay’s first visit to Mettur since taking charge as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in May, according to current reports. 

Water release delayed from traditional June schedule

The Mettur Dam is normally opened on June 12 every year for the Kuruvai paddy cultivation season in the Cauvery Delta. This year, however, the opening was deferred because of inadequate rainfall and insufficient storage.

The state government subsequently announced the 45-day release plan after considering the available water in the reservoir, expected inflows and demands from farmers. The government has also advised farmers to use the available water carefully and plan cultivation accordingly. 

Farmers prepare for the next cultivation season

The delayed release has affected agricultural planning in the delta. Reports indicate that several farmers who could not proceed with the Kuruvai crop on time are now preparing for the Samba cultivation season, hoping to recover part of the losses caused by the delayed irrigation supply. 

The availability of Cauvery water from Mettur is particularly important for the agricultural belt downstream, where farming depends heavily on regulated releases from the reservoir.

Cauvery water dispute remains a concern

The water release comes amid the continuing dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing of Cauvery water.

Tamil Nadu has maintained that Karnataka needs to clear an accumulated shortfall in water releases, while Karnataka has argued that it has already released water according to the prescribed requirements. The Supreme Court on August 31 deferred further consideration of the dispute until September 15, directing the parties to submit updated information. 

The timing of the Mettur release therefore has significance beyond the state’s irrigation requirements, as water availability in the Cauvery basin remains closely linked to the inter-state dispute.

Release depends on reservoir inflow

The Tamil Nadu government has made clear that the 45-day release will depend on the storage level and inflow into the Mettur reservoir.

The decision was taken despite inadequate southwest monsoon rainfall in parts of the Cauvery basin. Officials have taken into account both irrigation requirements in the delta and the need to maintain adequate supplies for drinking water. 

With the gates scheduled to open today, farmers in the Cauvery Delta will be closely watching the flow of water and the reservoir’s subsequent levels as the agricultural season progresses.