The Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu has once again reached full capacity for the seventh time in 2025, marking a new record in the dam’s 92-year history.
Heavy rains across Karnataka and the Cauvery River catchment areas have caused a surge in inflow, leading to this rare occurrence.
The dam’s water level stands at 120 feet with a storage of 93.47 TMC ft, while it continues to receive an inflow of about 20,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) and discharges a similar volume downstream.
Officials from the Water Resources Department have issued advisories for residents in low-lying areas along the Cauvery River and canal banks to move to safer zones due to potential flooding.
Warning announcements were made through loudspeakers, and local authorities are closely monitoring the situation.The dam has filled multiple times this year — on June 29, July 5, July 20, July 25, August 20, and September 2 — reflecting consistent rainfall and strong inflows from the Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar dams in Karnataka.
Built in 1934 and spanning the Cauvery River in Salem district, the Mettur Dam remains one of Tamil Nadu’s most critical water infrastructures. It supports irrigation for vast tracts of farmland across the Cauvery Delta, ensures drinking water supply, and generates hydroelectric power. Currently, water is also being released through upper sluice gates at a rate of about 800 cusecs for drinking water purposes.
Authorities urge caution as the discharge levels could rise further depending on rainfall in upstream regions. Despite safety concerns, the event is being celebrated by farmers and residents, calling it a “historic blessing” for agriculture and water availability this year.