T.N. CM Stalin releases water from Mettur Dam for delta irrigation

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin releases water for irrigation from the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur in Salem district, on Thursday, June 12, 2025
| Photo Credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin opened the sluices of the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur for delta irrigation on Thursday (June 12, 2025) — the customary date for the release of water — in the presence of seven Cabinet Ministers.

The Chief Minister travelled from Mettur to the dam, where he was welcomed by members of the public and schoolchildren. He interacted with the students, and at the dam, functionaries from various farmers’ associations greeted him.

In the presence of Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam, Public Works Department Minister E.V. Velu, Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar, Tourism Minister R. Rajendran, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, and Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister M. Mathiventhan, the Chief Minister ceremoniously showered flowers after releasing water from the dam.

Following the ceremony, Mr. Stalin inspected a photo exhibition organised by the Water Resources Department (WRD), where officials briefed him on ongoing projects and desilting work in the delta region. Later, he proceeded to attend a government function on the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital premises near the Steel Plant in Salem.

In the 92-year history of the Mettur Dam, this marks the 20^th time that water has been released for delta irrigation on its customary date, June 12. In 61 years, water was released after the scheduled date, and in 11 years, it was not released on time.

WRD officials said the Chief Minister initially released 3,000 cusecs of water, with the discharge set to increase to 10,000 cusecs by Thursday evening. For Kuruvai cultivation, from June 12 to September 15, a total of 135.52 TMC of water is required for 5.22 lakh acres in the delta region. From September 15 to January 28, for Samba and Thaladi cultivation, 268.47 TMC of water is needed for 12.10 lakh acres. The water release will also facilitate the generation of 460 megawatts of hydroelectric power, officials added.

As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, the dam’s water level stood at 114.91 feet, against its capacity of 120 feet. The storage level was 85.58 TMC, compared to a capacity of 93.47 TMC. Inflow into the dam increased to 6,339 cusecs, up from Wednesday’s inflow of 5,146 cusecs.