Mettur Dam water release on Aug 28: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to open Cauvery delta irrigation
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's Mettur Dam release — delayed nearly 70 days past its traditional 12 June date — is finally set for 28 August, with CM C. Joseph Vijay arriving in Salem to formally open the sluices. With 16 lakh acres of Cauvery delta farmland and the kuruvai paddy season hanging in the balance, the opening comes at the last viable moment for delta farmers.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay is scheduled to open Mettur Dam on 28 August for Cauvery delta irrigation.
The release is delayed by nearly 70 days from the traditional date of 12 June due to inadequate storage earlier in the season.
Dam water level stood at 88.43 feet on Tuesday, with inflow at 10,807 cubic feet per second ; level expected to touch 90 feet within two days.
The release will irrigate nearly 16 lakh acres across 13 districts , including Salem , Tiruchi , and Thanjavur .
The water is vital for the kuruvai paddy crop; farmers have repeatedly pressed the government for an early release.
Salem SP Kuthalingam conducted a surprise inspection at the dam on Tuesday, indicating preparations are in full swing.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is set to formally open the Mettur Dam on 28 August to release water for irrigation across the Cauvery delta districts — a move that has been delayed by nearly 70 days from the customary date of 12 June due to insufficient reservoir storage. The release will benefit nearly 16 lakh acres of agricultural land spread across 13 districts.
Current Water Levels and the Trigger for Release
The water level at Mettur Dam stood at 88.43 feet on Tuesday, with inflow recorded at 10,807 cubic feet per second. The continuous inflow is expected to push the reservoir level to 90 feet within two days. As an established practice, the government considers opening the dam once levels reach 90 feet when the customary 12 June date cannot be met — a threshold that now appears imminent.
Why the Delay Matters for Farmers
The Mettur Dam release is critical for farmers cultivating the short-term kuruvai paddy crop, which depends on timely irrigation during a narrow growing window. This year's delay of approximately 70 days has put the kuruvai season under severe strain. Farmers across the delta have repeatedly urged the state government to act without further delay, raising the issue in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday morning through opposition legislators who sought a clear timeline from the government.
What the Government Said
Water Resources Minister Anand responded to the assembly questions, indicating that the situation was being closely monitored. Government sources subsequently confirmed that Chief Minister Vijay would open the dam on 28 August. He is expected to arrive at Salem's Kamalapuram airport by air and travel to Mettur by road for the formal release ceremony.
Official Preparations Underway
Salem District Superintendent of Police Kuthalingam made a surprise visit to the dam on Tuesday and inspected the premises, signalling that security and logistical arrangements were already in motion. Officials from the Water Resources Department, district administration, and police are coordinating the programme. The release will benefit districts including Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Karur, Tiruchi, and Thanjavur, among others.
What Happens Next
Once the dam is opened, water will flow into the Cauvery delta canal network, providing the irrigation lifeline that delta farmers have been waiting on since June. The timely onset of water supply, even at this late stage, could partially salvage the kuruvai paddy season, though agricultural experts note that a near-70-day delay inevitably compresses the crop cycle. All eyes are now on 28 August and whether inflows sustain at levels sufficient to support uninterrupted delta irrigation through the season.
Point of View
While procedurally defensible, underscores how climate variability is steadily eroding the reliability of fixed-date irrigation schedules that delta agriculture has been built around for generations. Tamil Nadu needs a more adaptive water-release framework, not one tethered to a June calendar date that southwest monsoon patterns are increasingly making irrelevant. The assembly questions on Tuesday and the SP's surprise visit suggest political pressure, not reservoir science, may be the real trigger for the 28 August announcement.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Mettur Dam be opened for Cauvery delta irrigation in 2025?
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is scheduled to formally open Mettur Dam on 28 August 2025 for Cauvery delta irrigation. He will travel to Mettur from Salem's Kamalapuram airport for the ceremony.
Why was the Mettur Dam release delayed this year?
The dam could not be opened on the customary date of 12 June due to inadequate water storage in the reservoir. The delay has stretched to nearly 70 days, with the government waiting for the water level to reach 90 feet before releasing water.
What is the current water level at Mettur Dam?
As of Tuesday, the water level at Mettur Dam stood at 88.43 feet, with inflow recorded at 10,807 cubic feet per second. The level is expected to reach 90 feet within two days, meeting the government's threshold for releasing water.
Which districts and crops benefit from the Mettur Dam release?
The release benefits nearly 16 lakh acres of agricultural land across 13 districts, including Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Karur, Tiruchi, and Thanjavur. It is especially critical for farmers cultivating the short-term kuruvai paddy crop.
What is the significance of the 12 June date for Mettur Dam?
12 June is the traditional date on which water is released from Mettur Dam each year to support agricultural operations in the Cauvery delta. When this date cannot be met due to low storage, the government typically waits until the reservoir reaches 90 feet before proceeding with the release.
