Thousands of farmers in the Cauvery delta districts are set to abandon kuruvai paddy cultivation this year, as the government has confirmed that water will not be released from the Mettur dam on the customary date of June 12 for irrigating crops due to low storage. This comes as a rude shock to farmers who achieved a record kuruvai cultivation of 6.31 lakh acres last year and were hoping to repeat the success. Timely release of water and adequate distribution throughout the season had enabled that achievement.
Mettur Dam Water Level Drops
The Mettur dam has a maximum water level of 120 feet and a storage capacity of 93.4 tmcft. Last year, the level stood at 115.3 feet with a storage of 87.2 tmcft. This year, the level is 79.6 feet with a storage of 41.5 tmcft. “The water level at the reservoir is currently inadequate for year-long distribution in the delta region. The government may consider opening the dam sluices after inflows increase and the level reaches at least 90 feet,” a senior official of the water resources department said.
Impact on Farmers
Following the bumper harvest last year, the Tamil Nadu government, through the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC), procured around 12 lakh tonnes of paddy at its direct procurement centres. R. Giridharan, 48, a small farmer from Kovilkannappu in Kilvelur block of Nagapattinam district, achieved a yield of 1,800 kilograms per acre last season and was hopeful of a decent income this time. “I am stressed about making ends meet as I am compelled to abandon kuruvai. My two sons are joining college this year,” he said.
Risk of Delayed Sowing
Farmers in the delta region do not want water release delayed beyond June, as they would face the risk of monsoon rains in October and November. “Kuruvai can be cultivated with varieties that have a duration of 100 to 120 days. Hence, we must start by June and harvest by September, or else skip cultivation altogether to avoid crop loss due to rains,” said M. Ramamurthy, 67, from Semmangudi in Tiruvarur district.
Historical Context and Concerns
The lowest level at which the dam was opened in the last five years was 103.3 feet on June 12, 2023. That year, the water level steadily dropped to a low of 31 feet in October due to outflows and insufficient inflows from Karnataka’s dams. As a result, around 40,000 acres of kuruvai crop were lost. Keeping such risks in mind, the government did not open the dam in June 2024, when the water level was only 43.5 feet. However, in late July, as inflows to the dam surged, the government ordered the dam to be opened immediately, but it was too late to start kuruvai cultivation, and many opted for the single samba crop. Farmers are now apprehensive that a similar pattern may repeat this year.
Farmers' Demands and Hope for Rain
Farmers are praying for heavy rain in the catchment areas of the Mettur dam while demanding that the Tamil Nadu government secure water releases from the Karnataka government. In the delta region, at least 50% of the farmland is solely dependent on Cauvery river canal irrigation. The steadily dropping groundwater levels due to lack of rainfall have alarmed them. They are hopeful that release of Cauvery water will help recharge groundwater sources. ‘Cauvery’ V. Dhanabalan, leader of the Tamil Nadu Kaviri Vivasaayigal Pathukaapu Sangam, said, “The Tamil Nadu government must secure the water release from Karnataka, including dues, to avoid a drought in the delta region. Otherwise, even the samba crop could become uncertain.”
