Mettur dam may not be opened for irrigation on June 12
The Mettur dam is unlikely to open for irrigation on June 12 due to poor storage levels and a forecast of a weak southwest monsoon. Current storage is less than 50% of capacity, and inflow rates are insufficient for irrigation needs. The government is considering assistance for farmers and encouraging the cultivation of pulses instead of rice this season.
- ▪The dam's storage is currently about 41 thousand million cubic feet, significantly below its capacity of 93.47 tmcft.
- ▪The India Meteorological Department has predicted a delayed onset of the monsoon and reduced rainfall forecasts.
- ▪Farmers may only be able to cover 2.5 lakh acres during the kuruvai season, compared to the usual 4.4 lakh acres.
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The probability of the Mettur dam getting opened on the scheduled date of June 12 appears to be remote, in view of the poor storage and the forecast of a poor southwest monsoon (June-September) this year.Giving an account of the situation on the water front, a senior government official said the storage of the dam was “not even 50%.” The India Meteorological Department had predicted the delayed onset of the monsoon, apart from lowering its forecast to 90% of the long period average of rainfall against the original 92%. Under such circumstances, it is “out of the question” to open the dam, observes the official. As on Saturday(May 30), the dam’s storage was about 41 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) against the capacity of 93.47 tmcft.
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