Mettur dam reaches full capacity for third time this year; water release increased
A flood alert has been sounded to people living along the banks of the river Cauvery in downstream areas as the entire inflow into the reservoir has been released
Mettur dam
COIMBATORE: The Mettur dam reached its full reservoir level (FRL) of 120 feet for the third time this year on Sunday.
A flood alert has been sounded to people living along the banks of the river Cauvery in downstream areas as the entire inflow into the reservoir has been released. The dam filled up first on June 29 and again on July 5.
Following copious rains in Cauvery catchment areas, the inflow into the dam rose steadily to 28,784 cusecs on Saturday and further to 31,500 cusecs on Sunday, helping the storage level to increase from 119.45 feet on Friday (18 July) to 120 feet on Sunday, 8 am.
Water released through the dam’s power house and tunnel power house is 22,500 cusecs and 500 cusecs for canal irrigation, while 8,500 cusecs is released through Ellis saddle surplus vents.
Due to the release of surplus water, a flood alert has been issued to people living along the banks of the Cauvery river.
Meanwhile, the inflow into Hogenakkal surged to 43,000 cusecs on Sunday, 2 pm, from 32,000 cusecs on Saturday, following copious discharge of surplus water from Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dams.
Because of a surge in water flow, the Dharmapuri District Collector R Sadheesh issued an order banning bathing in Hogenakkal Falls and also suspended coracle operations.
The surge in water release has brought cheer to farmers across the delta districts, who rely heavily on the Cauvery river for irrigation.
With the monsoon rain replenishing the dam, agricultural activities are expected to gain momentum in the coming weeks, offering a much-needed boost to the kharif cultivation season.
Revenue and Disaster Management Department officials are on high alert, coordinating with local bodies to prepare for any emergency evacuation or relief measures.
