Tamil Nadu Announces ₹134.83 Crore Kuruvai Package as Mettur Dam Opening Gets Delayed

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced a special Kuruvai cultivation package worth ₹134.83 crore to support farmers in the Cauvery delta region following the delayed opening of the Mettur Dam for irrigation.

The government said the Mettur Dam could not be opened on its traditional date of June 12 due to insufficient water storage. The reservoir`s water level currently stands at 79.56 feet, which is below the required level for releasing water for Kuruvai cultivation.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall during the ongoing southwest monsoon is expected to remain below normal because of El Niño conditions and a delayed monsoon onset, affecting water availability across the state.

Under the relief package, ₹77.50 crore has been allocated for farmers in the Cauvery delta districts, while ₹57.33 crore has been earmarked for non-delta regions cultivating Kar, Kuruvai, and Sornavari crops.

The government expects Kuruvai cultivation to cover around 3.55 lakh acres this year, compared to the normal five lakh acres, with farmers relying on alternative irrigation sources such as filter points.

To aid cultivation activities, farmers will receive up to 18 hours of uninterrupted three-phase power supply daily. The Agriculture Department has also stocked 10,714 metric tonnes of paddy seeds and 4.02 lakh metric tonnes of fertilisers for distribution during the cultivation season.

The special package aims to reduce the impact of water scarcity and support farmers in sustaining agricultural production during the current season.