Only 1,500 cusecs of Cauvery water reached the Upper Anicut at Mukkombu in Tiruchy district on Friday, 5 September, a steep drop from the 7,000 cusecs released from the Mettur dam on 1 September, raising serious concerns over whether the flow is adequate to sustain irrigation across the Cauvery delta. Irrigation experts warn that the current discharge is far below what the delta's agricultural network requires.

The Journey from Mettur to Mukkombu

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had ordered the release of 7,000 cusecs from the Mettur reservoir on 1 September to support cultivation in the delta districts. The release itself had been delayed this season due to inadequate storage — water was eventually discharged only after the reservoir level rose to 92 feet, with an inflow of 8,456 cusecs.

The released water first reached the Mayanur barrage in Karur district on Thursday, where the flow was initially recorded at 2,737 cusecs before rising to 4,081 cusecs. Approximately 2,050 cusecs was subsequently discharged from Mayanur towards the Upper Anicut.

What Arrived at Mukkombu

The water reached Mukkombu around 6 am on Friday. Officials noted that 777 cusecs was already available at the barrage and was being utilised for drinking water requirements. Of the 2,050 cusecs dispatched from Mayanur, only around 1,500 cusecs ultimately reached the Upper Anicut — a loss of roughly 550 cusecs in transit.

Expecting the flow to improve gradually, authorities released the available 1,500 cusecs into the Cauvery towards the Grand Anicut (Kallanai). The water is expected to reach Kallanai on Saturday, with releases into irrigation systems likely to begin on Sunday.

Why Experts Are Alarmed

Irrigation experts cautioned that the present discharge is far below the minimum needed for effective irrigation across the delta. According to these experts, a flow of more than 16,000 cusecs is required to adequately feed the region's irrigation network. At current levels, water is likely to remain largely confined to the main river channel, with insufficient quantities reaching branch rivers and the irrigation canals that serve agricultural fields.

This comes amid an already-delayed kuruvai cultivation season in parts of the Cauvery delta, where farmers have been awaiting water for their crops. The delayed Mettur release had already disrupted planting schedules for some cultivators.

Farmers Demand Adequate Releases

Farmers across the delta districts have been pressing for adequate releases into irrigation canals. Experts warned that unless discharge increases substantially in the coming days, the current flow will provide little meaningful relief to cultivators. The situation is being closely monitored by irrigation officials, who are hopeful that inflows into Mettur will strengthen and allow for higher releases downstream.