Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Lower Mettur Storage Threatens Samba Crop; PMK Seeks Compensation
Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu has less water than needed for farming.
Its water level is 84 feet, and the dam is about half full.
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss blamed reduced Cauvery water releases from Karnataka.
He said the available water may last for only about 35 days.
This could make it difficult for farmers to grow the Samba rice crop.
He said nearly 40 percent of Cauvery delta farmland might remain uncultivated.
Anbumani asked the Tamil Nadu government to compensate farmers who cannot plant.
He also requested money and supplies for farmers who can still grow crops.
He called for electricity and advice on direct seeding to help farmers use groundwater and plant late.
Mettur Dam’s water level fell to 84 feet, with storage at 46 TMC, or 49.21% of capacity.
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss attributed the decline to reduced Cauvery water releases from Karnataka.
He said the remaining reserves could support irrigation for only 35 days, threatening Samba cultivation.
Anbumani claimed Tamil Nadu received 43 TMC against 113.33 TMC Karnataka should have released by September 22.
He demanded Rs 25,000 per acre for affected farmers, plus input assistance, electricity, seeds and fertilizers.
- Who
- PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, Tamil Nadu farmers, and the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments.
- What
- Anbumani warned that falling Mettur Dam storage threatens Samba and Thaladi cultivation and demanded relief measures for farmers.
- When
- The statement was issued on September 22, identified in the reports as Tuesday.
- Where
- The issue concerns Mettur Dam and Cauvery delta farmland in Tamil Nadu, with water releases from Karnataka.
- Why
- Anbumani attributed the shortage to reduced Cauvery water releases from Karnataka and said current reserves may support irrigation for only 35 days.
- Mettur water level
- 84 feet, compared with a maximum level of 120 feet
- Mettur storage
- 46 TMC, or 49.21% of its full capacity of 93.47 TMC
- Reported inflow
- 2,281 cusecs into Mettur Dam
- Estimated irrigation duration
- Current reserves may sustain irrigation for 35 days
- Water reportedly due from Karnataka
- 113.33 TMC to Tamil Nadu by September 22 under Cauvery tribunal and Supreme Court orders
- Water reportedly received
- 43 TMC, according to Anbumani Ramadoss
- Requested compensation
- Rs 25,000 per acre for farmers unable to undertake Samba or Thaladi cultivation
- Requested farmer assistance
- Rs 10,000 per acre for participating Samba farmers, along with electricity and input support
