Press Release No : 583 Date: 26.08.2026 Statement of the Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources Thiru N. Anand Regarding Release of Water from Mettur Dam In accordance with the orders of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru S. Joseph Vijay, considering public drinking water and Cauvery Delta irrigation demands amidst deficit Southwest Monsoon rainfall in the Cauvery basin, the Government of Tamil Nadu has decided to release water from Mettur Dam for 45 days starting 01.09.2026 based on water storage and inflows. Hon'ble Chief Minister Thiru S. Joseph Vijay will personally open the sluice gates of Mettur Dam for Delta irrigation on 01.09.2026. While live storage stood at only 41.223 TMC at the onset of the 2026-27 irrigation year, the government took resolute legal and administrative steps before the CWMA, CWRC, and the Supreme Court. Through sustained efforts, orders were secured directing Karnataka to ensure flows of 3,500 cusecs, 9,000 cusecs, and 12,000 cusecs at Biligundlu at various periods. The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has been directed to coordinate advance preparations across Delta districts, ensuring farm advisory, seed and fertilizer availability, nursery raising, and efficient turn-system water distribution under the principle 'More Crop Per Drop'. ************* Issued By: - DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9