Only 1,500 cusecs Cauvery water reaches upper anicut; concerns rise over irrigation needs

Tiruchi, Sep 5 (IANS) Water released from the Mettur dam for Cauvery delta irrigation has reached the Upper Anicut at Mukkombu in Tiruchy district, but the sharply reduced flow has raised concerns over whether it will be sufficient to meet the irrigation needs of farmers.

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had released 7,000 cusecs of water from the Mettur reservoir on September 1 to support cultivation in the delta districts.

However, by the time the water reached the Upper Anicut on Friday morning, the flow had dwindled to around 1,500 cusecs.

The release from Mettur had been delayed this year because of inadequate storage in the reservoir, affecting kuruvai cultivation in parts of the Cauvery delta.

Water was eventually released after the reservoir level rose to 92 feet, with an inflow of 8,456 cusecs.

The released water reached the Mayanur barrage in Karur district on Thursday.

The flow there was initially only 2,737 cusecs before increasing to 4,081 cusecs. Subsequently, about 2,050 cusecs was discharged from Mayanur towards the Upper Anicut.

The water reached Mukkombu around 6 a.m. on Friday. Officials said about 777 cusecs was already available at the barrage and was being utilised for drinking water requirements.

However, of the 2,050 cusecs released from Mayanur, only around 1,500 cusecs reached the Upper Anicut.

Expecting the flow to improve gradually, officials released the available 1,500 cusecs into the Cauvery towards the Grand Anicut, or Kallanai.

The water is expected to reach Kallanai on Saturday, and authorities are likely to begin releasing it towards irrigation systems on Sunday.

Irrigation experts, however, warned that the present discharge is far below the level required for effective irrigation across the delta.

They said a flow of more than 16,000 cusecs would be required to adequately feed the irrigation network.

At the present level, water may largely remain confined to the main river channel, with insufficient quantities reaching branch rivers and irrigation canals serving agricultural fields.

Farmers have already been demanding adequate releases into irrigation canals. Experts cautioned that unless the discharge increases substantially in the coming days, the current flow is unlikely to provide meaningful relief to cultivators awaiting water for their crops.

–IANS

aal/rad