Mettur Dam water scarcity threatens Tamil Nadu agriculture

Agricultural experts and farmers in Tamil Nadu are facing significant challenges due to declining water levels in the Mettur reservoir and inadequate irrigation distribution. With the Mettur storage at 47,809 TMC against a capacity of 93,470 TMC, experts have advised farmers dependent on river irrigation to avoid samba paddy cultivation. Those with borewell access are encouraged to use direct sowing methods to conserve water.

In the Namakkal region, farmers report that recent water releases from the Mettur Dam failed to reach local lakes and ponds. They attribute this to blocked channels, lack of desilting, and encroachments. Despite a 10-day release of 400 cusecs intended for drinking water and groundwater recharge, local waterbodies remained largely dry, providing little relief following a year of poor rainfall.