Water released from Mettur Dam into east and west bank canals
The Mettur Dam has begun a 10-day water release to support drinking water and groundwater recharge in Salem, Erode, and Namakkal. Due to poor rainfall, the customary irrigation release was delayed, and future irrigation plans remain dependent on further inflow.
Why it matters
Water management in the Cauvery basin is critical for regional agriculture and drinking water security, especially during periods of climate-induced rainfall variability.
The 10-day water discharge from Stanley Reservoir in Mettur into east and west bank canals for drinking water purpose and ground water recharge in Salem, Erode, and Namakkal districts began on Monday afternoon.
Usually, water would be released on August 1, the scheduled date of opening, for canal irrigation. The release would continue until December 15, based on the availability. The water release through the east bank canal will benefit 18,000 acres, and the west bank canal 27,000 acres in Salem, Erode, and Namakkal districts. But this year, due to poor inflow into Mettur dam, water was not released on the customary date. Meanwhile, on Monday afternoon, water was discharged from the dam into canals.
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