One of the most important dams in Tamil Nadu is Mettur Dam located in Salem district. Mettur Dam is the main water source for agricultural irrigation in the Cauvery Delta district and the main drinking water source for 12 districts. Mettur Dam, which is such a specialty, relies on water from Karnataka and rainfall from the Cauvery catchment areas.
Karnataka without water supply
But Periyanna is of the mindset that Karnataka cannot open water to Tamil Nadu. As a result, the Cauvery Management Authority has been set up, but the water problem has not been solved for both the states. Karnataka has not released even half of the total 177.25 TMC of water last year.
Opening of Mettur Dam as usual
At the same time, water was released from the Mettur dam on June 12 last year as usual for Kuruvai irrigation. The flow of water to the Mettur dam has fallen due to Karnataka not releasing water. But the water was opened till October. It was only when the water level of the dam fell to 30 feet that the release of water was stopped considering the demand for drinking water.
The water level rose
At the same time, Mettur dam water level reached 70 feet in the months of November and December due to heavy rains in the Cauvery catchment areas. After that there is no water supply. In February alone, water was opened for samba, thaladi, cultivation in the delta for about 10 days. At present water is opened only for drinking water needs.
Mettur dam status
The water level of Mettur dam has dropped from 45.18 feet to 44.88 feet as of this morning. Water availability has also reduced to 14.73 TMC. Fresh water flow has decreased from 286 cubic feet per second to 239 cubic feet per second. However, 2,100 cubic feet of water per second is being pumped out for drinking water. 2.2 mm of rain has also fallen in Mettur dam area.
Heavy rains in Cauvery areas of Karnataka
Currently, the Cauvery catchment areas of Karnataka are receiving good rains. As a result, the water inflow to Krishnaraja Sagar and Kabini dams, which supply water to Tamil Nadu, has increased. Karnataka has been warned of heavy rain for the next 5 days. Due to this, more water is likely to flow into the dams.
Water flow to Mettur dam may increase…
Karnataka is thus expected to open up additional surplus water to Tamil Nadu. In case of such opening, it is expected that the water inflow to Mettur Dam may increase in the following days. At the same time, it is said that there is no possibility of water opening on June 12 this year for Kuruvai cultivation as the water level of Mettur dam remains less than 50 feet.
