Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Cauvery Water Reaches Upper Anicut, But Irrigation Concerns Rise
Water was released from the Mettur dam to help farmers in the Cauvery delta grow crops.
The release began on September 1 after the dam had enough water stored.
However, much less water reached the Upper Anicut at Mukkombu.
Officials released the available 1,500 cusecs toward Kallanai.
They expected the water flow to improve gradually.
The water was expected to reach Kallanai on Saturday.
Irrigation systems might begin receiving it on Sunday.
Experts warned that the amount was far too small to properly supply all the canals and farms.
Water released from Mettur dam for Cauvery delta irrigation reached the Upper Anicut at Mukkombu.
The flow fell from 7,000 cusecs released at Mettur to about 1,500 cusecs at the Upper Anicut.
Officials said the water would be released toward the Grand Anicut, or Kallanai, and could reach it on Saturday.
Authorities were expected to begin sending water into irrigation systems on Sunday.
Irrigation experts said more than 16,000 cusecs would be needed to adequately supply the delta’s irrigation network.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu government officials, irrigation experts, and Cauvery delta farmers are involved.
- What
- Water released from the Mettur dam reached the Upper Anicut at a reduced flow of about 1,500 cusecs.
- When
- The Mettur release began on September 1; the water reached Mukkombu around 6 a.m. on Friday.
- Where
- The water moved from Mettur through the Mayanur barrage in Karur district to the Upper Anicut at Mukkombu in Tiruchy district.
- Why
- The release was intended to support cultivation and irrigation in the Cauvery delta.
Officials' Outlook
Irrigation Experts' Concerns
Expected improvement
Officials' Outlook
Officials expected the flow to improve gradually and released the available 1,500 cusecs toward Kallanai.
Irrigation Experts' Concerns
Experts warned that a substantial increase would be needed to provide meaningful relief to farmers.
Adequacy for irrigation
Officials' Outlook
Authorities planned to begin releasing water into irrigation systems after it reached Kallanai.
Irrigation Experts' Concerns
Experts said more than 16,000 cusecs would be required to adequately feed branch rivers and irrigation canals.
Impact on crops
Officials' Outlook
The release was intended to support cultivation in the delta districts.
Irrigation Experts' Concerns
Experts said the current flow might remain mainly in the river channel and fail to supply enough water to agricultural fields.
- Initial Mettur release
- 7,000 cusecs released on September 1
- Mettur reservoir level
- 92 feet when water was released
- Mettur inflow
- 8,456 cusecs
- Mayanur discharge toward Upper Anicut
- About 2,050 cusecs
- Flow at Upper Anicut
- About 1,500 cusecs
- Estimated irrigation requirement
- More than 16,000 cusecs
- Expected irrigation release
- Authorities were likely to begin releasing water into irrigation systems on Sunday