Water crisis deepens at Mettur Dam.
Mettur: The situation at Tamil Nadu’s Mettur Dam is becoming increasingly critical as water has not yet been released into the Cauvery River from dams in Karnataka. On Saturday, the inflow into the dam dropped to a mere 30 cubic feet per second (cusecs). With the inflow steadily declining, the dam’s water level is also falling, raising concerns among farmers regarding the release of water for the upcoming Samba paddy cultivation.
The Mettur Dam is considered the lifeline of Tamil Nadu’s agricultural system. Irrigation for approximately 16.05 lakh acres of farmland across 12 districts in the state’s Cauvery Delta region depends on water from this dam. Every year, thousands of farmers await the release of water from the Mettur Dam for major paddy crops such as Kuruvai, Samba, and Thaladi. Consequently, the drastic reduction in water inflow has created an atmosphere of uncertainty in the agricultural sector.
Traditionally, if the Mettur Dam’s water level is around 90 feet and the Southwest Monsoon is normal, water is released on June 12 for Kuruvai paddy cultivation. However, this year, the government could not release water for the Kuruvai crop due to insufficient storage in the dam and the failure to receive the expected inflow from Karnataka. Farmers have already been affected by this, and apprehensions regarding the Samba season are now mounting.
According to Water Resources Department officials, the expected quantity of water has not yet been released into the Cauvery River from Karnataka’s reservoirs. As a result, the inflow into the Mettur Dam has steadily declined, dropping to just 30 cusecs on Saturday. Meanwhile, limited quantities of water are being released from the dam for drinking and other essential needs, placing additional strain on the water storage.
Experts state that if water is not released from Karnataka in the coming days, or if there is no significant increase in inflow due to the monsoon, it may become difficult to provide water on time for the Samba crop. Samba paddy is one of Tamil Nadu’s most important agricultural crops, and its sowing and irrigation rely heavily on water from the Mettur Dam.
Farmers in the delta region have expressed concern over the situation, noting that the Kuruvai season has already been affected. If water is not received on time for the Samba crop as well, the livelihoods of lakhs of farmers could be severely impacted. Farmers state that while preparations for cultivation have begun, the lack of adequate water for irrigation has left them in a state of uncertainty.
Agricultural experts believe that the impact of the water shortage will not be limited to paddy production alone; it could also affect the rural economy, employment for agricultural laborers, and food production. A large population in the delta region depends on agriculture, and if the Samba season is disrupted, it could have widespread economic consequences.
Meanwhile, farmers’ organizations have demanded that the state government take effective action regarding the water-sharing issue with Karnataka. They assert that Tamil Nadu should receive its allocated share of water in accordance with the Cauvery water agreement and relevant judicial orders. They have also appealed to the central government to intervene and facilitate coordination between the two states.
The Water Resources Department is closely monitoring the situation. Officials are reviewing the dam’s water level, storage, and inflows from the Cauvery River on a daily basis. The department states that future strategies will be determined based on monsoon conditions and the water received from Karnataka.
Weather experts believe that if the Southwest Monsoon becomes active in the coming days and water levels in Karnataka’s reservoirs rise, the inflow into the Mettur Dam could improve. However, current data offers little relief to the farmers.
The state government now faces the major challenge of balancing drinking water requirements with agricultural irrigation needs. If the water crisis persists, the administration will need to manage available water resources with extreme caution.
For now, with water inflow into the Mettur Dam remaining critically low, farmers in the delta region are pinning their hopes on water releases from Karnataka and the progress of the monsoon. The coming few weeks will determine whether Samba paddy cultivation in Tamil Nadu can proceed normally or if farmers will have to face yet another difficult agricultural season.
