Chennai: Water released from Karnataka’s Kabini Reservoir is expected to reach Biligundulu, the entry point of the Cauvery River into Tamil Nadu, by early Tuesday morning. However, farmers in the Cauvery Delta say the inflow has come too late to save this season’s kuruvai crop and are now pinning their hopes on a successful samba cultivation.

Officials said the water reaching Tamil Nadu is expected to improve storage at the Stanley Reservoir (Mettur Dam), though sustained releases from Karnataka will be essential before irrigation can begin.

Mettur level still below irrigation mark

As of Monday evening, the Mettur Dam had a water level of 73.18 feet against its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 120 feet, with storage at 35.49 tmcft.

Water Resources Department (WRD) officials said that if Karnataka continues releasing more than 25,000 cusecs of water, the dam’s level could rise by around four feet every 24 hours.

At that rate, it would take approximately seven to eight days for the reservoir to reach 100 feet, provided the inflow remains steady or increases.

Officials noted that irrigation water is generally released from the Mettur Dam only after the water level crosses 90 feet, ensuring a sustainable supply for agriculture.

Kuruvai crop beyond recovery

Leaders of farmers’ organisations in the Cauvery Delta said the expected inflow would not benefit the current kuruvai crop.

They pointed out that paddy cultivated across thousands of acres has already withered because of inadequate water availability, making recovery impossible even if Cauvery water reaches the fields during August.

This year’s kuruvai cultivation has reportedly been limited to around 2 lakh acres, a sharp decline from 6.33 lakh acres cultivated in 2025, reflecting the severe impact of water scarcity.

Farmers hopeful for samba cultivation

Despite the setback for kuruvai, farmers believe a sustained release of water could support the upcoming samba season.

P.R. Pandian, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers’ Association, said that if water is released from the Mettur Dam by the middle of August and maintained consistently, farmers would be able to begin direct sowing for the samba crop.

He emphasised that continuous water availability over several months would be essential for a successful cultivation season.

Sustained releases sought

Farmers stressed that merely releasing water for a short period would not be sufficient.

They urged the Tamil Nadu government to prepare a long-term water release schedule that ensures a continuous supply throughout the cultivation season.

Pandian also said the Mettur Dam could take 10 to 15 days to reach its full reservoir level if Karnataka maintains or increases the current discharge.

Tail-end farmers await Cauvery water

Farmers’ associations also called on the government to ensure that Cauvery water reaches tail-end regions, particularly Nagapattinam district, where farmers have already prepared their fields and are waiting to begin cultivation.

Officials said Tamil Nadu is expected to receive additional inflows once water is also released from the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) Dam in Karnataka, increasing the volume reaching Biligundulu.

The development follows recent rainfall in the Cauvery catchment areas, which has improved reservoir inflows in Karnataka and raised hopes for better water availability downstream.

While the late inflow may not revive the damaged kuruvai crop, farmers remain optimistic that sustained releases over the coming weeks will help ensure a productive samba season.