Release of water from Mettur Dam for delta irrigation won't happen June 12 this year. Water levels in Stanley Reservoir are too low. As of Thursday,level was 79.62 feet,far below 120 feet capacity. Water Resources Department officials said catchment areas lacked enough rainfall for release.
Historically,dam opened on June 12 only 20 times in 93 years. Water released before that date 11 times,but delayed past June 12 on 61 occasions. This year's the 62nd miss .
Officials noted government will reassess if heavy rain hits soon. Inflow dropped to 424 cusecs from 528 cusecs . Dam still sends 1,000 cusecs to Cauvery River for drinking water.
Facing these agricultural hurdles,Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay rolled out a Kuruvai Special Package for paddy. ₹134.83 crore set aside to aid farmers now. But will it be enough if rains don't come…
