Mettur Dam likely to surplus before Jun 12

Salem, May 21: In good news for Tamil Nadu farmers, the Mettur Dam is likely to surplus in the next 20 days, brightening prospects of release of water for irrigation to cavuery delta region on the traditional date of Jun 12.

The level in the dam today stood at 113.5 feet against its maximum of 120 feet as against 73.91 feet last year and was expected to surplus as the monsoon was expected to set in by this month end bringing rains, a PWD official said.

As per readings taken on Saturday, May 21, water storage was 83.483 tmc against its capacity of 93.4 tmc and the inflow was 3,972 cusecs and discharge 1,703 cusecs.

Superintending Engineer, Upper Cauvery, Ganesan told PTI that the dam would surplus before Jun 12, the date on which the dam is opened traditionally for irrigation.

He said water released from the dam would irrigate 16.05 lakh acres in 11 districts.

PTI