The Mettur Dam, a crucial reservoir in Tamil Nadu, has reached its full reservoir level (FRL) of 120 feet on Tuesday evening, marking the 43rd time the dam has filled up since its inception. This event follows closely after the dam last reached its FRL in 2022, during which a maximum of 2.07 lakh cusecs of water was released from the reservoir.
The surge in the dam’s water level is attributed to the heavy discharge of surplus water from the Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dams in Karnataka. These releases are a result of copious rainfall in the Cauvery catchment areas, which have steadily increased the inflow into the Mettur Dam.
As the inflow remained steady, the water level in the dam rose significantly throughout the day. On Tuesday, the storage level was recorded at 118.84 feet at 8:00 AM, 119.02 feet at 12:00 PM, 119.43 feet at 4:00 PM, and finally reached the full reservoir level of 120 feet by 6:00 PM.
The inflow patterns on Tuesday showed considerable variation. At 8:00 AM, the dam received an inflow of 62,870 cusecs, which slowed down to 41,772 cusecs by 12:00 PM. However, by 4:00 PM, the inflow had increased to 54,459 cusecs and further surged to 69,000 cusecs by 6:00 PM.
Given the full capacity of the Mettur Dam and the continued inflow, authorities have issued a flood alert in the Cauvery basin districts. Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay vigilant and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities to mitigate potential flood risks.
The Mettur Dam, a lifeline for agriculture and water supply in Tamil Nadu, plays a pivotal role in the state’s water management. The current situation underscores the importance of coordinated water management between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to ensure the safety and well-being of communities dependent on the Cauvery river system.