Mettur Dam discharge raised to 12,000 cusecs for Cauvery delta irrigation
Salem, September 7, 2026: Water release from Mettur Dam was raised to 12,000 cusecs early Monday morning to meet growing irrigation needs across the Cauvery delta. Officials stepped up the outflow from 6 a.m., the latest increase since the reservoir opened on September 1 for the samba paddy season.
The move comes as farmers in the delta districts prepare fields and begin cultivation. Mettur remains the key regulating reservoir for irrigation supplies to the region, and every change in discharge is closely watched by farming communities.
How the Release Built Up
When the dam was opened on September 1, water started flowing at 3,000 cusecs. Within a few hours it was raised to 7,000 cusecs and held steady for six days. On Sunday evening at 6 p.m., authorities increased it further to 10,000 cusecs. The latest revision to 12,000 cusecs followed on Monday morning as demand continued to climb.
Current Reservoir Position
Figures recorded on Sunday evening showed the water level at 92.39 feet. Inflow stood at 9,709 cusecs, while available storage was around 55.35 thousand million cubic feet (TMC). With the present outflow higher than inflow, future releases will depend heavily on fresh inflows into the reservoir.
Why This Matters for Delta Farmers
The increased discharge is expected to improve water availability in the Cauvery Delta districts where samba paddy cultivation is getting under way. Farmers have been waiting for steady supplies after the delayed opening this year. Officials say they will keep monitoring reservoir levels, inflows, storage, and actual irrigation requirements before deciding on any further changes.
Authorities are balancing downstream demand against the current storage position. Continued inflows will play a decisive role in how long the higher release can be sustained.
Mettur Dam continues to serve as the principal source of irrigation water for the Cauvery delta. The latest step-up to 12,000 cusecs offers timely support to farmers starting the main paddy season, even as officials remain cautious about storage trends in the days ahead.