Tamil Nadu: Farmers in the delta districts are worried about their rice harvest this year. Due to low water levels in the Mettur Dam, the release of water for irrigation in the delta region has been postponed on June 12th. Most farmers in the delta districts depend on river water to irrigate their kuruvai crops.
The Mettur Dam is normally opened on June 12th and closed on January 28th. In previous years, except for 2020 to 2024, the dam has opened on time due to sufficient water in the reservoir. Timely irrigation in the delta region leads to a good rice harvest and ensures farmers’ income.
However, this year, the water level required for opening the dam did not reach the required level. The Mettur Dam requires a water level above 90 feet for delta irrigation. As of Tuesday evening, the water level in the dam was only 79.73 feet, and the water reserve was 41.68 feet. In such a situation, the dam is unlikely to be opened on June 12th.
In Karnataka too, due to low water reserves in the dam, officials estimate that the Mettur Dam will only be opened in August this year. This will prevent delta farmers from receiving timely irrigation, potentially affecting the Kuruvai crop. Experts say that if the dam is not opened by August, the area under the Kuruvai crop may be smaller than before.
Farmers’ organizations and agricultural experts are concerned about this situation. They say that the lack of timely irrigation could reduce crop yields and impact farmers’ economic well-being. Furthermore, the delayed water supply could also impact crop quality.
The local administration has stated that they are continuously monitoring the water level and are prepared to open the dam as soon as it rises. Farmers have also been urged to prepare for the current crop harvest using alternative plans and be prepared for water shortages.
This issue is also being considered serious at the political and administrative levels. The rice crop in the delta districts is crucial to Tamil Nadu’s food security. Therefore, necessary measures are being planned for water management and irrigation.
The potential for rice production in the delta districts to be affected this year due to low water in the Mettur Dam has raised concerns among farmers. Local agriculture officials and teams from the Water Resources Department are monitoring the situation and working to find a solution as soon as possible.
