SALEM: Following inflow to the Metur dam increasing to 73,935 cusecs on Monday evening, Public Works Department (PWD)sources said that discharge would be raised from 40,000 cusecs to 80,000 cusecs from Monday 10 pm. The surplus quantum of water would be released, added the Public Works Department (PWD) sources. The district administration of 12 districts had also been issued a warning to ensure that this time the State could avoid 2015 flood-like situation. The Stanley reservoir at Mettur in the district reached its full level of 120 ft for the 39th time in its 84-year-old history on Monday, thus warming the cockles of the delta farmers’ hearts. However, the recent announcement had thrown a challenge to the administration.
Taking precautionary steps during the last two days, following increased inflow to the dam, the district administration has alerted the people residing in low-lying areas and along the banks of river Cauvery to move to a safer place. As the water reached its full reservoir level (frl), discharge from the dam was stepped up to 40,000 cusecs and special poojas were performed in the presence of Mettur MLA S Semmalai and Chief Engineer for Water Resource Department, Tiruchy region, R Senthil Kumar.
Karnataka released surplus water to Tamil Nadu after Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) dams in the neighbouring state attained its full storage capacity, following heavy rains, in their catchments. The excess water started flowing into Metur dam three weeks ago, leading to a tremendous rise in its water level.
Soon after the level touched 100 feet-mark, the State government released water for delta irrigation on July 19, a delay by over a month as the customary water release is scheduled on June 12. Meanwhile, surplus water released from Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) dams increased and on Monday afternoon, the downstream Mettur dam reached its full capacity after a gap of five years.
Canals providing water to three districts get supply
After the storage reached its full capacity, discharge was increased to 40,000 cusecs — 22,500 cusecs through its eight-eye sluices and 17,500 cusecs through its 16-eye sluices. The two canals, that irrigates 45,000 acres in Salem, Namakkal and Erode districts, too saw 300 cusecs flowing throughd 17,500 cusecs through its 16-eye sluices. The public has been cautioned to stay away from the Cauvery river