Kuruvai Cultivation Picks Up in Cauvery Delta as Mettur Dam Nears Full Capacity
Chennai, July 6, 2025 — Farming activity in Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery delta is gaining strong momentum this Kuruvai season, as water levels in the Mettur dam hover near full capacity and comfortable reservoir storage gives a much-needed boost to agricultural operations.
According to data from the State Agriculture Department, 3.09 lakh acres have already been brought under Kuruvai cultivation across the delta region, against a total target of 5.7 lakh acres. This is approximately 60,000 acres more than last year—a notable improvement despite ongoing complaints about water access in some tail-end areas.
Mettur Dam Nears Full Reservoir Level
As of Saturday morning (July 5), the Mettur dam—a lifeline for delta farmers—recorded 93 tmcft of water, just short of its full capacity of 93.47 tmcft. Authorities were releasing about 32,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) into the river to ensure continuous flow downstream.
By comparison, on the same day last year, the dam had stored just 12 tmcft, reflecting a significant jump in availability this year.
Why the Kuruvai Season Looks Promising in 2025
- Reservoirs across the state are at 81% capacity, holding around 183 tmcft of water collectively as per Water Resources Department data.
- Tamil Nadu received 42.25 tmcft of water in June 2025 at Biligundlu, well above the 9.19 tmcft monthly quota mandated by the Supreme Court.
- Inflow into the Cauvery system has been consistent, and most of the water from Mettur is being released, enabling timely irrigation.
This year’s June inflow is the highest Tamil Nadu has received since the Supreme Court verdict in February 2018—a ruling that restructured the water-sharing formula among riparian states.
Tail-End Farmers Still Await Relief
Despite the promising figures, concerns persist. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami recently criticized the ruling DMK government, alleging that even after 20 days since the Mettur dam’s opening, Cauvery water had not reached several tail-end regions.
Some of the worst-hit areas include:
- Tiruvarur district: Muthupet, Kottur, Thiruthuraipoondi
- Nagapattinam district: Thalainayar, Vedaranyam
- Thanjavur district: Peravurani, Pattukottai, Madukkur
These regions have been unable to commence transplantation, raising concerns over equity in water distribution. As of now, the State government has not issued a formal response to the opposition’s criticism.
Farmers Demand Enhanced Kuruvai Package
While the Kuruvai cultivation outlook appears stronger this year, many delta farmers have urged the government to modify the support package:
“Instead of limiting the Kuruvai package to one acre per farmer, the government should expand the scope and prioritize genuinely needy cultivators,” said a farmer representative from Tiruvarur district.
The Kuruvai package, typically offering input subsidies and free power for pump sets, is crucial for small and marginal farmers. Enhancing its reach could help stabilize yields and livelihoods in vulnerable regions.
Kuruvai 2025: Area Covered So Far vs. Target
| Parameter | Status |
|---|---|
| Total Target Area | 5.7 lakh acres |
| Area Covered (as of July 5) | 3.09 lakh acres |
| Increase over 2024 | ~60,000 acres |
| Dam Storage (Mettur) | 93 tmcft / 93.47 tmcft |
| Water Released | 32,000 cusecs |
Final Thoughts
With reservoir levels at multi-year highs and a historic June inflow from the Cauvery, Tamil Nadu’s Kuruvai season is off to an encouraging start. However, water distribution challenges in tail-end areas and growing farmer concerns about government support need urgent attention.
As agricultural coverage rises and political voices grow louder, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this momentum can be sustained across all regions of the delta.