Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is set to inaugurate the release of water for delta irrigation from the Mettur Dam on Tuesday at 11:00 am, officials said.
Traditionally, water is released for delta irrigation on June 12 each year, supporting cultivation of Kuruvai, Samba and Thaladi crops across 13 delta districts, covering about 17.10 lakh acres. This year, the release was delayed due to lower reservoir levels.
As per norms, the dam’s water level must be at least 90 feet for irrigation release. On Monday, the level stood at 91.15 feet with storage of 53.97 TMC, while inflow was recorded at 11,501 cusecs.
Ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit, ADGP Anbu, along with senior police officials including the Coimbatore IG and DIGs from Salem and Dindigul, inspected the dam premises and reviewed arrangements with Water Resources Department engineers. Ministers Anand and Vijay Tamizhan Parthiban, along with Salem Collector Ilambagavath, also conducted an inspection and held discussions on the event preparations.
Police said security has been strengthened under ADGP Anbu’s leadership, with 3,804 personnel deployed, including an IG, four DIGs, 16 SPs, 15 ADSPs, 39 DSPs and 80 inspectors and sub-inspectors.
