Mettur Dam Water Levels Critically Low, Delaying Delta Irrigation in Tamil Nadu
In May-June 2026, water levels at Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir) in Tamil Nadu, India, remained far below its full capacity of 120 feet, hovering around 78-79 feet. Inflow fluctuated while discharge was maintained at ~1,000 cusecs for drinking water. Due to critically low storage (41.57 TMC vs. 93.47 TMC), the scheduled June 12 release for delta irrigation was delayed for the 62nd time in 93 years, pending heavy rainfall.
Editorial summary awaiting refresh
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Water level in Papanasam dam stands at 75.85 feet
On July 13, 2026, the water level in Papanasam dam in Tirunelveli district was recorded at 75.85 feet, with a maximum capacity of 143 feet. The inflow was 458.35 cusecs and the discharge was 1,104.75 cusecs. Additionally, the Manimuthar dam reported a water level of 73.45 feet (maximum 118 feet), with an inflow of 17.35 cusecs and a discharge of 175 cusecs. The data was published by The Hindu on July 13, 2026.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water level in Papanasam dam stands at 77 feet
On July 12, 2026, the water level at Papanasam dam in Tirunelveli district, India, was recorded at 77 feet, with a maximum capacity of 143 feet. Inflow was 585.73 cusecs and discharge was 1,304.75 cusecs. At the nearby Manimuthar dam, the water level stood at 73.68 feet (maximum 118 feet), with an inflow of 148.55 cusecs and discharge of 175 cusecs. The report, published by The Hindu, provides a snapshot of reservoir conditions in the region.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water Levels in Papanasam and Manimuthar Dams Reported
On July 11, 2026, The Hindu reported the water levels in two dams in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. The Papanasam dam stood at 78.10 feet (maximum 143 feet) with an inflow of 788.74 cusecs and a discharge of 1,304.75 cusecs. The Manimuthar dam recorded a level of 73.73 feet (maximum 118 feet) with an inflow of 5 cusecs and a discharge of 175 cusecs. The report provides a snapshot of reservoir conditions, likely relevant for water management and local agriculture.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water Level in Mettur Dam Reported at 76.235 Feet
On July 8, 2026, the water level in Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu, India, stood at 76.235 feet, significantly below its full capacity of 120 feet. The inflow into the dam was recorded at 91 cusecs, while the discharge was 1688 cusecs. The report, published by The Hindu, provides a routine update on the dam's status, which is crucial for regional water management and agriculture.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Inflow drops to 27 cusecs in Mettur Dam
The inflow into the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu dropped from 40 cusecs on July 7 to 27 cusecs on July 8, 2026, indicating persistently poor water inflow. As of 8 a.m., the water level stood at 76.29 feet, far below the full reservoir level of 120 feet, with storage at 38.359 tmcft against a total capacity of 93.47 tmcft. Outflow was maintained at 1,500 cusecs into the Cauvery River to meet drinking water needs. Separately, the Bhavanisagar Dam recorded a water level of 56.23 feet (full level 105 feet), inflow of 5,677 cusecs, outflow of 855 cusecs, and storage of 6.09 tmcft (capacity 32.8 tmcft). The report highlights ongoing water scarcity concerns in the region.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Inflow into Mettur Dam Falls Significantly
According to a report from The Hindu on June 26, 2026, the inflow into the Stanley Reservoir (Mettur Dam) in Salem, Tamil Nadu, dropped to 193 cusecs, a sharp decline from 308 cusecs recorded earlier. The water level stood at 79.09 feet, well below the reservoir's full capacity of 120 feet. Storage was at 41.05 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) against a full capacity of 93.47 tmcft. Despite reduced inflow, discharge into the Cauvery River for drinking purposes was maintained at 1,000 cusecs. The data indicates ongoing water stress in the region.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water level in Mettur dam stands at 79.28 feet
As of June 24, 2026, the water level in the Mettur dam (Stanley Reservoir) in Tamil Nadu, India, was recorded at 79.28 feet, significantly below its maximum capacity of 120 feet. The inflow into the dam was measured at 353 cusecs, while the discharge was 1,001 cusecs. The report, published by The Hindu, provides a routine update on the dam's storage and flow conditions, relevant for regional water management and agriculture.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water Level in Mettur Dam Stands at 79.29 Feet
On June 23, 2026, the water level in Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir) in Tamil Nadu, India, was recorded at 79.29 feet, against a full reservoir level of 120 feet. The inflow into the dam was 873 cusecs, while the discharge was 1,000 cusecs. The report, published by The Hindu, provides a routine update on the dam's storage status, which is important for regional water management and agriculture.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Mettur Dam Opening Delayed for Delta Irrigation Due to Low Water Levels
The Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu, India, will not be opened on June 12, 2026, the scheduled date for releasing water for delta irrigation, due to low water levels in the Stanley Reservoir. As of June 11, the water level stood at 79.62 feet against a capacity of 120 feet, with storage at 41.57 TMC out of 93.47 TMC. Inflow had reduced to 424 cusecs. Officials stated that the government will decide on releasing water for irrigation if the region receives heavy rainfall in the coming days. This marks the 62nd occasion in the dam's 93-year history that the scheduled June 12 release has been missed. Drinking water supply from the dam into the Cauvery River is being maintained at 1,000 cusecs. Additionally, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay announced a Kuruvai Special Package for paddy cultivation costing ₹134.83 crore.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water level in Mettur Dam stands at 79.14 feet
On June 17, 2026, the water level at Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu, India, was recorded at 79.14 feet, significantly below its full reservoir capacity of 120 feet. The inflow into the dam was measured at 526 cubic feet per second (cusecs), while the discharge was 1,000 cusecs. The report, published by The Hindu, provides a routine update on the dam's storage status, which is critical for irrigation and water management in the region.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Mettur Dam Release for Delta Irrigation Delayed Due to Low Water Levels
The Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu, India, will not be opened for delta irrigation on its scheduled date of June 12, 2026, due to low water levels in the Stanley Reservoir. Officials reported the water level at 79.62 feet, well below the full capacity of 120 feet, and storage at 41.57 TMC against 93.47 TMC. Inflow into the dam has also decreased. The government will decide on releasing water for irrigation only if heavy rainfall occurs in the coming days. Historically, the dam has missed its June 12 release date 61 times in its 93-year history, with this year marking the 62nd occasion. Drinking water supply is being maintained at 1,000 cusecs.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water Level in Mettur Dam Stands at 79.78 Feet
On June 3, 2026, the water level at Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir) in Tamil Nadu, India, was recorded at 79.78 feet, significantly below its full reservoir level of 120 feet. The inflow into the dam was measured at 1,881 cusecs, while the discharge was 1,000 cusecs. The report, published by The Hindu, provides a routine update on the dam's storage status, which is critical for irrigation and water supply in the region.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water level in Mettur dam stands at 78.91 feet
On May 27, 2026, the water level at Mettur dam (Stanley Reservoir) in Tamil Nadu, India, was recorded at 78.91 feet, well below its maximum capacity of 120 feet. The inflow into the dam was measured at 914 cubic feet per second (cusecs), while the discharge was 999 cusecs. The report, published by The Hindu, provides a routine update on the dam's water status, which is important for regional irrigation and water management.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water Level at Mettur Dam
On May 26, 2026, the water storage at the Mettur Dam in Tiruchi, India, was reported at 78.84 feet, significantly below its full reservoir level of 120 feet. The inflow into the dam was measured at 2,262 cusecs, while the discharge was 1,000 cusecs. This data, published by The Hindu, provides a snapshot of the dam's current water status, which is important for regional water management and agriculture.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Water Level in Mettur Dam Stands at 78.78 Feet
On May 25, 2026, the water level at Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu, India, was recorded at 78.78 feet, significantly below its full reservoir level of 120 feet. The inflow into the dam was measured at 1,603 cusecs, while the discharge was 1,000 cusecs. The report, published by The Hindu, provides a snapshot of the dam's storage status, which is critical for irrigation and water supply in the region.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.