The Mettur Dam reached full level at 9 pm on Sunday, a feat achieved after a gap of eight years. The dam was receiving 1,45,000 cusec when the water level reached the 120-feet mark. As much as 85,000 cusec of water was being let out, partly through the 16 vent surplus weir and partly through regular channels.
Salem Collector K Maharabushanam issued the third flood warning when the dam touched full level and banned vehicular movement on the Ellis Sadle bridge.
With the surplus weir opened, even essential traffic has been banned and people were prohibited from going near the dam site.
After the flood alert was sounded, the revenue officials and police are monitoring habitations on the river banks. The officials had earlier issued a second flood warning when it reached 119.02 feet.
PWD Water Resources Wing officials and the reservoir managers had on Saturday night decided to regulate water level through controlled discharges to avoid letting out huge surplus in a sudden spate, which could result in flash floods.
Besides, hundreds of people were thronging the Cauvery in many districts for the Adiperukku festival. At 12 noon on Sunday, the water level reached 118.54 feet with an inflow of 1,45,225 feet.