CM Vijay to Open Mettur Dam Gates On September 1 Amid Cauvery Row

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to open the sluice gates of the Mettur dam on September 1, beginning a planned 45-day release of water for irrigation. The decision comes after the state was unable to follow the customary June 12 opening date because of inadequate storage. The Mettur dam, also known as Stanley Reservoir, is a crucial source of irrigation for the Cauvery delta districts. The announcement follows demands from farmers and opposition parties for water to be released for agricultural activities.

The state government said the release was approved despite concerns over insufficient rainfall in the Cauvery catchment during the southwest monsoon. Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N Anand said the quantity and continuity of the release would depend on the reservoir's available storage and incoming inflows. At the beginning of the 2026-27 irrigation year, the usable storage in the dam was reported at 41.223 TMC. The government has now decided to proceed with the release in response to requests from farmers and residents across the delta region.

The Cauvery water issue has also remained a point of contention between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Anand said inadequate releases from Karnataka's reservoirs had previously affected Tamil Nadu's ability to maintain continuous irrigation supplies, while the state had prioritised drinking water requirements. Tamil Nadu has pursued the matter before the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee, Cauvery Water Management Authority and Supreme Court, seeking what it considers its prescribed share of the river water. Directions were also issued for Karnataka to maintain specified flows at Billigundulu during different periods.

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With the Mettur reservoir's storage showing improvement, the Tamil Nadu government has begun preparations for agricultural activities in the Cauvery delta. The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has been directed to make arrangements in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts. Officials have been asked to ensure adequate availability of quality seeds, fertilisers and other essential agricultural inputs. The department will also provide farmers with guidance on selecting suitable paddy varieties and managing available water resources efficiently.

Farmers are expected to be encouraged to use short-duration and medium-duration paddy varieties so that cultivation can be managed within the available water supply. The government has also stressed judicious water use and adherence to agricultural advisories. These preparations are aimed at helping farmers begin cultivation despite the delayed start to irrigation. The timing and extent of water release will remain dependent on reservoir storage, inflows and the broader availability of Cauvery water.

As of August 26, the water level at Mettur dam stood at 88.84 feet, compared with its full reservoir depth of 120 feet. The planned opening therefore comes at a time when the state is balancing irrigation requirements with limited water availability. The 45-day release is expected to provide support to farmers in the delta while the government continues to monitor inflows and the Cauvery water situation. The decision also keeps the long-running water-sharing issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in focus.

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