Cauvery farmers demand extension of Mettur Dam water release

B. R. Pandian, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Association, has urged the Chief Minister to withdraw a recent irrigation department announcement that limits water release from the Mettur Dam to only 45 days. Pandian argues that this decision violates the established traditions of the Cauvery Delta.

He proposed that water release should continue until January 28 to support approximately 25 lakh acres of cultivation. Pandian suggested that authorities first use the released water to fill local ponds and lakes through monitoring committees involving revenue, irrigation, agriculture, and police departments before directing water to farmlands, ideally after a 15-day period.

Additionally, the association announced a protest march starting September 20 from Poompuhar to oppose the construction of the Megathattu Dam in Karnataka. The march will travel through various Cauvery Delta districts, including Erode, Dharmapuri, and Vellore, reaching Thiruvarur by September 24.