The shutters of the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur in Salem district were closed on Sunday night. Initially the date was said to be January 28th. But they have closed the shutter earlier. Water has been released from the reservoir since 9th of August, 2015 for Samba crop cultivation.
PWD Officials have made it clear that the remaining water is needed for 'Drinking' purpose. By yesterday evening the water level stood at 71.35 feet with storage at 33.87 tmc feet as against its capacity of 93.470 tmc feet. Inflow was 176 cu.secs (cubic feet per second) while outflow was zero.
The PWD official said water is needed most for drinking purpose and not for irrigation. So we have stopped and we have closed the gates earlier. Farmers from eleven districts requested the Tamil Nadu Government to release water few more weeks to save their crops.
Manikam who is the member of 'Tamizhaga Vivasaayigal Sangam' said, "We will harvest in first week of February and we need water till then. Drinking water matters. At the same time, we need water for irrigation."
