Mettur Dam reaches full capacity for seventh time this year

Stanley Reservoir in Mettur district of Salem district reached the full reservoir level (FRL) of 120 feet for the seventh time this year on Monday, October 20, 2025, following which 30,000 cusecs of excess water was discharged into the Cauvery river.

Due to heavy rains in the catchment areas of Karnataka, there has been a significant amount of water inflow into the dam in recent days. An official from the Water Resources Department said that after the reservoir reached its full level, the discharge through the dam’s power plant and tunnel power plant was increased to 20,000 cusecs.

Staff at downstream dams have been instructed to maintain discharge levels without any deviation. Irrigation discharge from canals on the east and west banks continued at 500 cusecs.

At 8 am on Tuesday, October 21, the water level was at 120 feet, the FRL of the dam, when the water flow was 30,500 cusecs. Storage was 93.47 tmc ft against the dam’s capacity of 93.47 tmc ft.

Of the total discharge, 22,300 cusecs were discharged through power plants and 7,700 cusecs were discharged through the 16 ventilated Ellis Saddle excess weirs.

The official said flood alerts have been issued for 11 districts in the delta region and those living in low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer places.