Mettur dam level nears 87 ft, delta farmers await irrigation release
Synopsis
Mettur dam has not released water for kuruvai cultivation this year — a historic miss — and standing crops in the Cauvery delta are already wilting. With inflows now at 13,538 cusecs and the level touching 86.83 feet, the 90-foot mark that could trigger an irrigation release is within reach, but officials say Karnataka's continued cooperation is the deciding variable.
Key Takeaways
Mettur dam water level stood at 86.83 feet on Sunday, 24 August , approaching the 87-foot mark.
Inflow has risen to 13,538 cusecs after Karnataka increased releases from its upstream Cauvery reservoirs.
Only 2,000 cusecs are being discharged, solely for drinking-water needs — no irrigation release yet.
Officials say the level could reach 90 feet in the coming days; a delta irrigation release may follow if storage holds.
The customary 12 June kuruvai release was skipped this year due to poor storage, causing crop stress across the Cauvery delta .
The Tamil Nadu government is expected to review the release decision once the reservoir crosses 90 feet .
The water level at Mettur dam in Salem, Tamil Nadu, is steadily climbing toward the 87-foot mark following a significant rise in inflow from the Cauvery river, rekindling hopes of an irrigation release for delta districts if the trend holds. As of Sunday evening, the reservoir stood at 86.83 feet, with officials projecting it could touch 90 feet in the coming days.
Current Inflow and Storage Position
Inflow into the reservoir has risen to 13,538 cusecs (cubic feet per second) after Karnataka increased releases from its upstream reservoirs into the Cauvery. Against this, only 2,000 cusecs are being discharged to meet drinking-water requirements. With inflow substantially outpacing outflow, storage levels have continued to build consistently over recent days.
Why Delta Farmers Are in Distress
Water was not released from Mettur dam for kuruvai paddy cultivation this season due to inadequate storage — a sharp departure from the customary release on 12 June that marks the annual opening of the dam. The absence of irrigation supply has forced farmers across the Cauvery delta to depend on groundwater, rainfall, and other limited sources. Standing crops in several delta areas are already experiencing moisture stress, with some beginning to wither.
This is not the first time the kuruvai season has been disrupted, but the current year's delay has been particularly acute, compounding distress among an agrarian community that relies almost entirely on the dam for seasonal irrigation.
What Officials Have Said
Water Resources Department officials indicated that sustained inflows could create favourable conditions for opening the dam for delta irrigation once the reservoir crosses the 90-foot threshold. However, they stressed that any decision would depend on three factors: total storage at that point, continued supplies from Karnataka, and the immediate irrigation needs of farmers in the delta.
Officials are closely monitoring both inflow rates and the overall storage position, and have indicated that stable inflows over the next several days are essential before a release can be formally considered.
What Happens Next
The Tamil Nadu government is expected to review the situation once the water level reaches 90 feet. If current inflow patterns hold, an irrigation release could provide critical relief to farmers and help prevent wider crop losses across the delta. The coming days of Cauvery inflow from Karnataka will be decisive in determining whether the dam's improving storage translates into water on the fields.
Point of View
And this year's delay underscores how fragile that dependence remains. The 90-foot threshold being cited by officials is operationally sensible, but the real question is whether inter-state coordination can be made predictable enough to protect an entire cultivation season. As climate variability makes monsoon onset less reliable, the Cauvery delta's kuruvai window is shrinking — and a reactive release framework may no longer be adequate.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level at Mettur dam?
As of Sunday, 24 August, the water level at Mettur dam stood at 86.83 feet and is approaching the 87-foot mark. Officials expect it to reach 90 feet in the coming days if inflows remain at the current rate of 13,538 cusecs.
Why was water not released from Mettur dam for kuruvai cultivation this year?
Water was not released for the kuruvai paddy season because storage in the reservoir remained inadequate. The customary annual release, which normally takes place on 12 June, was skipped — forcing delta farmers to rely on groundwater, rainfall, and other limited sources.
When will Mettur dam release water for delta irrigation?
Officials have not announced a release date. Water Resources Department officials say a release could be considered once the reservoir crosses 90 feet, subject to continued inflows from Karnataka and an assessment of farmers' immediate irrigation needs.
How have Cauvery delta farmers been affected?
Farmers across the Cauvery delta have faced severe moisture stress this season due to the absence of irrigation supply from Mettur dam. Standing crops have begun to wither in several areas, and many farmers have been forced to depend on groundwater and rainfall as substitutes.
What role does Karnataka play in Mettur dam's water levels?
Karnataka's upstream reservoirs feed into the Cauvery river, which is the primary source of inflow for Mettur dam. The recent rise in inflow to 13,538 cusecs is directly attributed to Karnataka increasing its releases, making inter-state water coordination a critical factor in any irrigation release decision.
