CM Vijay Releases Mettur Dam Water for Samba Crop in Cauvery Delta

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday released water from the Mettur dam to meet drinking water requirements and support samba cultivation in the Cauvery delta districts. Speaking after the release, the Chief Minister urged farmers to use water sparingly, ensure it reaches the end user, and work towards making the samba cultivation season a success.

Reaffirming the state's legal entitlement to Cauvery water, the Chief Minister stated that Tamil Nadu would not compromise on its rights upheld by the Cauvery Arbitration Final Award and the Supreme Court’s 2018 verdict. He added that the state government continues to pursue legal and administrative measures to secure its rightful share.

Acknowledging the deficit in the southwest monsoon and the impact of El Niño, Vijay explained that the release was a planned step to manage limited resources and safeguard agricultural output. Farmers were advised to adopt medium-duration rice varieties and water-saving methods such as direct seeding.

On Tuesday morning, the water level at the Mettur dam stood at 91.56 feet, with total storage recorded at 54.452 tmcft and an inflow of 10,857 cusecs. Officials from the Water Resources Department confirmed that the discharge would be continuously monitored and regulated based on irrigation requirements.

Departments including Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Water Resources, and Revenue and Disaster Management have been instructed to coordinate with district administrations to ensure efficient water management. The government cautioned against illegal pumping, unauthorized water extraction, and violations of permitted irrigation schemes. Joint monitoring teams consisting of officials from the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Water Resources Department, Revenue Department, and police will patrol day and night to prevent misuse.

Following the formal event, Vijay made an unscheduled visit to Chinnakavoor village. He visited the residence of farmer P Ramasamy to discuss agricultural practices and daily livelihood challenges. The family informed him that banana cultivation was their primary source of income, leading the Chief Minister to note down their requirements for potential government assistance. The family's matriarch, Chellam, also requested resolution regarding her monthly dole payments. On his return route to Salem airport, the Chief Minister made another halt to speak with women working in nearby agricultural fields about wages and crop protection.