Mettur Water Reaches Mukkombu as Cauvery Irrigation Begins Ahead of Samba Season

Water released from the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur reached the Upper Anicut at Mukkombu on Friday and continued flowing through the Cauvery towards Kallanai, marking an important step ahead of irrigation releases for the samba cultivation season. The arrival of the water at Mukkombu has raised expectations among farmers in the Cauvery delta, where the river system plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activity.

The water was released from Mettur Dam after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay opened the dam’s shutters on September 1. The release is being routed through the Cauvery system towards the delta region, with water expected to reach Kallanai for subsequent distribution. The flow through Mukkombu indicates that the released water has progressed downstream and is now moving towards one of the key irrigation structures in the region.

Irrigation distribution from Kallanai is scheduled to begin on September 6 for the samba season. Water will be distributed through the Cauvery, Vennar, Kollidam and Grand Anicut Canal systems to support cultivation across the delta. The timing of the release is particularly important for farmers preparing for the samba crop, which depends heavily on the availability and timely distribution of Cauvery water.

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The current release follows a difficult period for farmers dependent on the Mettur reservoir. Water was not released from the dam on the customary June 12 date for the short-term kuruvai crop because of inadequate storage. The delayed release has therefore increased the importance of ensuring that water reaches the delta and is distributed efficiently for the upcoming samba cultivation season.

The arrival of Mettur water at Mukkombu was also marked by farmers and children offering flowers to the Cauvery near Tiruchi. The flow of water through the river has significance beyond irrigation, particularly for communities across the Cauvery delta whose agricultural activities and livelihoods are closely connected to the river system. Farmers will now be watching the level and continuity of the flow as distribution from Kallanai approaches.

With irrigation distribution scheduled to commence from Kallanai on September 6, the focus will now shift to ensuring that the available water reaches the various channels serving agricultural areas. The release from Mettur and its arrival at Mukkombu provide a crucial link in the downstream irrigation network. Effective distribution will be important for farmers seeking to proceed with samba cultivation after the setback faced during the kuruvai season.

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