Salem: The Mettur dam reached its full capacity of 120 feet in the early hours of Tuesday, following heavy inflows from upstream reservoirs. This marks the sixth time in 2024 that the dam has filled to capacity.
Officials reported an inflow of 37,532 cubic feet per second (cusecs), with the storage level recorded at 93.47 tmc ft. To manage the surplus, 23,077 cusecs of water were discharged through the hydroelectric power stations, while the remainder was released via the surplus outlet. Additionally, 800 cusecs were let out through the upper sluices into the East–West Canal to support irrigation.
Revenue department officials have advised residents in low-lying areas to move to safer locations as precautionary measures continue.
The surge in inflows is attributed to sustained rainfall in the Cauvery basin, which has filled both the Kabini and Krishnarajasagar dams in Karnataka, leading to excess water being released downstream into the Mettur reservoir.
This year, the Mettur dam first reached full capacity on June 29, and subsequently on July 5, July 20, July 25, and August 20.
A senior Water Resources Department official highlighted the dam’s unusual consistency in maintaining high levels. “The dam’s water level crossed 100 feet on October 23 last year, and due to persistent rainfall since then, it has remained above that mark for 316 consecutive days as of Tuesday,” the official said.
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