Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Tuesday opened the sluice gates of the Mettur Dam in Salem, the first step in the delayed release of Cauvery water for irrigation in the delta region of the state. The release, which is crucial for farmers preparing for the kuruvai and samba cultivation seasons, has been delayed because of inadequate monsoon rainfall and insufficient storage in the reservoir.
Vijay arrived in Salem on Tuesday and was welcomed by a large gathering of supporters waving party flags and cheering as he walked past the dam. But the opening ceremony was held under high security and preparations at the historic reservoir. The gates were opened around 10 a.m., and water began to flow downstream towards agricultural areas dependent heavily on the Cauvery river system.
The decision to release water has been made after the reservoir's storage has increased to over 51 TMC feet. This increased storage has allowed the state government to move more quickly to initiate irrigation releases and to respond to farmers’ repeated appeals in the Cauvery delta. For agricultural communities, water availability is crucial to sowing and maintaining crops in the upcoming cultivation years.
The Mettur Dam plays a significant role in Tamil Nadu's agricultural economy, especially in districts situated in the Cauvery delta. Irrigation water from the reservoir is used for irrigating vast agricultural areas where farmers grow paddy and other crops. The delayed opening had created anxiety among farmers who had to account for the time of irrigation water delivery to allow for a smooth sowing cycle, crop growth and eventual yield.
The Cauvery water release is expected to continue for 45 days according to the plan. Water will mainly help in kuruvai cultivation, and also prepare farmers for the longer season of samba crops. Kuruvai paddy is usually grown in the short farming season, so the timely access to irrigation is very important. Since then, farmers have been closely monitoring reservoir levels and rainfall conditions to decide on their cultivation.
The delay in opening the Mettur Dam gates was mainly attributed to poor monsoon conditions and low inflows into the reservoir. The dam is usually opened on June 12, which is the beginning of the kuruvai cultivation season. At that time the reservoir did not have sufficient water and the government had to put off the release on that day. The improvement in storage now has enabled the government to carry through the irrigation schedule.
For farmers, the opening brings relief after weeks of uncertainty. Farming families in the delta depend on regulated Cauvery releases rather than rainfall alone to feed their fields. A reliable supply at the early stage of cultivation can make transplantation, irrigation and other farm activities more likely for farmers.
The government is also expected to closely monitor the inflow, storage and consumption of water during the 45-day release period. Managing the reservoir will be key, because the availability of water later in the agricultural season will depend on rainfall, upstream inflows and the rate at which water is released for irrigation.
CM Vijay at Salem airport 🤍 pic.twitter.com/n9ZkFAuUn6
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The opening ceremony also attracted considerable political and public attention; supporters were on the site to welcome Vijay. Security arrangements were strengthened around the dam as officials prepared for the Chief Minister's visit and the ceremonial opening of the sluice gates.
The release of Cauvery water from Mettur is not only an annual irrigation exercise for Tamil Nadu’s farming communities. It is closely connected with the state's agricultural calendar and to the lives of thousands of farmers in the delta. With storage at 51-TMC, the latest release gives farmers a chance to start or accelerate the cultivation and authorities are keeping an eye on the reservoir’s water stance.
As the 45-day release goes on, rain and inflows into the Mettur reservoir will continue to be the main focus. However, for now, opening the gates is an important step in developing kuruvai and samba and solving the long-standing need for timely Cauvery irrigation water.
