Chennai, June 29 (UNI) The Mettur Dam, also called as Stanley Reservoir, the lifeline for farmers in

Cauvery Delta districts for irrigation, attained its full level of 120 ft today evening for the second time

in the month of June, following which water was released from the dam prompting the authorities to

issue flood alert to those living in Cauvery river beds.

For the first time in 68 years, the water level has reached its full capacity twice in the month of June,

officials said, bringing smiles on the faces of the farmers.

Thanks to copious inflow into the dam during the last two days due to heavy rains in catchment areas

of Karnataka, the storage level filled up fast and reached its full level today evening.

As its reservoirs started filling to the brim, Karnataka released surplus waters in river Cauvery which

reached the Mettur Dam.

As on today evening the total storage level in the Mettur Dam stood at 58,000 cusecs.

Considering the safety of the dam, 30,000 cusecs of water was released through 12 of the 16 sluice gates (gates1-4 not opened this year due to maintenance works) as water gushed out, providing a visual feat, even as people thronged in large numbers to witness it.

The water was released from the dam by Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister R Rajendran in the presence

of PWD, WRD and other officials.

Earlier, the the dam was opened on the scheduled traditional date of June 12 for irrigation.

Bringing cheers to farmers in Cauvery delta districts, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released

the waters from the Mettur dam for irrigation on the traditional date of June 12.

This was for the 20th time in its nine-decade long history, the water was released from the dam on

the scheduled date for Kuruvai crop cultivation, thanks to adequate storage level in the dam.

Mr Stalin opened the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur and showered rose petals as waters gushed out of it, much to the joy of the farmers.

The release of water will help in irrigating 17.15 lakh acres of farm lands.

Initially 3,000 cusecs of water was released from the dam and the discharge was stepped up gradually.

As on June 12, the water level in the Reservoir stood at 114.910 ft as against its full capacity of

120 ft and the storage stood at 85.583 tmc (total 93.47 tmc).

Officials said a total 138.52 tmc water was required for irrigating about 5,22,000 acres from June 12 to September 15 for taking up Kuruvai crop cutivation, which would be met by release of monthly quota of water by Karnataka as per the Supreme Court order, 125.68 tmc from Mettur dam and the

balance of 12.84 tmc by augmenting rain and ground water resources.

They said 118.17 tmc ft water was needed for Kuruvai cultivation in 4,91,200 acres in Namakkal, Karur, Trichy, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai districts and 7.51 tmc for irrigating 30,800 acres in Cuddalore and Ariyalur districts.

From September 15 to January 28, for Samba and Thaladi cultivation, 268.47 TMC of water is needed for irrigating 12.10 lakh acres. The water release will also facilitate the generation of 460 megawatts of hydro power.

UNI GV 1820