The Mettur dam could not be opened on June 12, the customary date of releasing water for delta irrigation, in view of poor storage and discouraging inflows.
“Dismally low”
According to Public Works Department (PWD) sources, the storage at 4 p.m. on Tuesday was 41.223 tmcft, which was “dismally low”.
The water level stood at 79.26 feet against the mandatory 90 feet for opening the dam with an inflow of 1385 cusecs.
The dam discharges 1165 cusecs, mainly for drinking water purposes.
“We receive little or nil discharge from Karnataka reservoirs,” said a senior official. Last year, the dam was opened a week ahead of June 12.
