Mettur dam canals opened to cater to irrigation needs

Salem: The east and west bank canals connected to the Mettur dam were opened on Tuesday to meet irrigation requirements in Salem, Namakkal, and Erode districts.

Tourism minister R Rajendran opened the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir, allowing water from the Cauvery river to flow out of the dam and into the canals.

"In response to farmers' requests, chief minister M K Stalin had directed the water resources department (WRD) officials to open the west and east bank canals of the Mettur dam for irrigation purposes," the minister said. He added that approximately 45,000 acres of land would benefit, including 16,443 acres in Salem district, 11,327 acres in Namakkal district, and 17,230 acres in Erode district. "I urge the farmers in these three districts to utilise the Cauvery water released through the Mettur east and west bank canals judiciously," he said.

Salem MP T M Selvaganapathy, Rajya Sabha MP SR Sivalingam, and collector R Brindha Devi, among others were present when the sluice gates were opened.