Mettur Dam opens Tuesday: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to release Cauvery delta irrigation water
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay will open Mettur Dam on Tuesday to kick off Cauvery delta irrigation, with inflow surging to 10,485 cusecs on the back of heavy Karnataka rainfall. For delta farmers waiting on paddy cultivation, the timing and reservoir position — 90.47 feet, 53.70 tmcft in storage — offers cautious optimism, though tail-end districts are watching closely.
Key Takeaways
Joseph Vijay will open Mettur Dam sluice gates on Tuesday to begin Cauvery delta irrigation.
Inflow into the reservoir rose from 9,035 cusecs to 10,485 cusecs ahead of the release.
Dam water level stood at 90.47 feet with available storage of 53.70 tmcft .
Heavy rainfall in Karnataka's Cauvery catchment filled Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar reservoirs, driving increased discharge into the Cauvery.
2,000 cusecs are being released separately to meet drinking-water needs of Cauvery-dependent districts.
Tail-end district farmers have urged the government to ensure uninterrupted water supply across all irrigation command areas.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is set to formally open the Mettur Dam sluice gates on Tuesday to commence irrigation supply to the Cauvery delta, as inflow into the reservoir climbed to 10,485 cusecs — offering timely relief to farmers readying fields for the paddy-growing season. The move follows a steady rise in water levels driven by heavy rainfall in Karnataka's Cauvery catchment zone.
Reservoir Status and Inflow Surge
According to Water Resources Department officials, inflow into Mettur rose from 9,035 cusecs to 10,485 cusecs ahead of the planned release. The dam's water level stood at 90.47 feet, with available storage recorded at 53.70 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft). Separately, 2,000 cusecs continued to be discharged from the reservoir to meet drinking-water needs of districts dependent on the Cauvery.
Karnataka Upstream Discharge Drives Inflow
Heavy rainfall across Karnataka's Cauvery catchment has rapidly filled the Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar reservoirs, prompting Karnataka authorities to increase surplus discharge into the Cauvery. While the outflow from Karnataka had been scaled back over the two preceding days, it was stepped up again from Sunday, resulting in a gradual rise in water reaching Mettur. Officials will continue to monitor Karnataka rainfall and upstream reservoir discharge to project likely inflow over the coming days.
What the Release Means for Delta Farmers
The irrigation release is expected to support agricultural operations across the Cauvery basin, with particular significance for tail-end districts where water typically takes several days to arrive. Farmers in these areas have appealed to the government to manage available water carefully, ensuring it reaches all irrigation command areas without interruption during the critical paddy-cultivation window. The improved inflow ahead of the opening is being viewed as an encouraging signal for the season's agricultural prospects.
What Happens Next
Officials are expected to regulate discharge volumes after assessing reservoir storage, ongoing inflow from Karnataka, and farmer requirements across the delta. The steady improvement in Mettur's water position ahead of CM Vijay's formal opening gives authorities some flexibility in managing the release — though tail-end farmers remain watchful for any disruption in supply.
Point of View
But the politics around it have sharpened in recent years — any delay invites sharp criticism from delta farmer groups and opposition parties alike. What is notable this season is that the inflow improvement is being driven by Karnataka's surplus discharge, not Tamil Nadu's own rainfall, which means the state's irrigation calendar remains hostage to upstream reservoir management decisions it does not control. The inter-state water dynamic, long a flashpoint, sits quietly beneath this otherwise routine announcement. Whether the current inflow is sustained will depend entirely on how Karnataka manages its own reservoir levels going forward.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Tamil Nadu CM Vijay opening Mettur Dam on Tuesday?
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is opening Mettur Dam to commence irrigation water supply to the Cauvery delta districts, marking the start of the paddy-cultivation season. The decision follows a rise in dam inflow to 10,485 cusecs, supported by increased Karnataka discharge into the Cauvery.
What is the current water level and storage at Mettur Dam?
As of the latest figures, the water level at Mettur Dam stands at 90.47 feet, with available storage recorded at 53.70 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft). Inflow has risen to 10,485 cusecs from 9,035 cusecs.
Why did inflow into Mettur Dam increase?
Heavy rainfall in the Cauvery catchment areas of Karnataka caused the Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar reservoirs to fill rapidly. Karnataka authorities subsequently increased surplus discharge into the Cauvery, which gradually raised inflow levels at Mettur.
Who will be most affected by the Mettur Dam water release?
Farmers across the Cauvery delta districts stand to benefit most, particularly those in tail-end areas where water takes several days to arrive. These farmers have specifically urged the government to manage the release carefully to ensure water reaches all irrigation command areas.
How will officials manage the water discharge after the opening?
Water Resources Department officials are expected to regulate discharge volumes by continuously assessing Mettur's storage levels, ongoing inflow from Karnataka's upstream reservoirs, and the irrigation requirements of farmers across the Cauvery basin.
