Chennai: Chief minister Edappadi K Palanisamy on Thursday ordered the release of Mettur dam from October 2. He also announced a special package from the State for delta farmers at an estimated Rs 41.15 crore covering farmers in Tiruchy, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Karur.
With the Mettur Dam witnessing steady inflows following Karnataka’s release of water from the Cauvery river, the CM on Friday ordered opening of its sluice gates for irrigating samba crops in the delta districts.
“To enable farmers take up samba cultivation, I have directed release of water from Mettur Dam from October 2, 2017, ” CM Edapaddi Palanisamy said in a statement. The government decision to release water was based on factors like the dam touching 89 feet and with the likelihood of state receiving more water from Karnataka reservoirs.
Tamil Nadu, during the southwest monsoon, has received 533.4 mm rainfall against a normal rainfall of 480.5 mm and is anticipating more rains, the CM said. He also recalled the efforts taken by the former CM J. Jayalalithaa in getting the 2007 final award of the Cauvery disputes tribunal published in a Central gazette in 2013.
According to PWD sources, the dam’s water level will cross 90 feet against its full capacity of 120 feet by Friday. It was receiving a copious inflow of 47,235 cusecs as on Thursday evening due to heavy rains in the Cauvery catchment areas. The sluice gates of the dam weren’t opened for delta farming as the water level stood at a meagre 23.44 feet on the scheduled opening date of June 12.
Heavy rains in the Cauvery catchment areas in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and due to release of water in Karnataka dams, inflow to Mettur dam began to increase since July 9. The inflow has further increased from 21,648 cusecs on Wednesday to 33,569 cusecs on Thursday morning.
The inflow then surged to 47,235 cusecs in the evening, improving the storage level to 90 feet. As the water storage level has reached a comfortable position, officials are confident of continuing the water release during the ensuing northeast monsoon.
