Mettur reservoir level drops to 64.79 feet

Stanley Reservoir in Mettur stood at 64.79 feet on the morning of October 10, against a full level of 120 feet. With inflows low, officials warned that water releases for Cauvery delta irrigation might not continue beyond October 15.

Water Resources Department figures at 8 a.m. put storage at 28.38 billion cubic feet against capacity of 93.47 billion. The level had fallen below 65 feet. The Hindu and Mirror Now reported the readings.

Releases into the Cauvery for delta irrigation were 15,000 cubic feet per second while inflow was 1,021. No water was released through the canal. Rainfall measured 0.4 millimetres.

Irrigation releases did not begin on the customary June 12 date this year because of low storage and a delayed monsoon. They started on September 1 for 45 days, through October 15.

Officials linked the possibility of no extension to the declining level and limited inflow. Their comments concern a potential decision, rather than an announcement that releases have ended early.