Ministers release water for irrigation from the Grand Anicut

Ministers R. Vinoth and A.M. Shahjahan and District Collectors and farmers welcome the release of irrigation water from the Grand Anicut in Thanjavur district by offering paddy grains and flowers to the Cauvery on Sunday. | Photo Credit: R. VENGADESH Minister for Agriculture R. Vinod and Minorities Welfare Minister A.M. Shahjahan on Sunday released water from the Grand Anicut (Kallanai) near Thanjavur for irrigation in delta districts. Farmers, officials of Water Resources Department, and others showered flower petals on the water gushing out from the regulators. The Ministers sprinkled paddy seeds on the water as a mark of beginning the Samba and Thaladi season, which is considered as a main paddy cultivation season in the delta districts such as Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal.Collectors R. Revathi (Thanjavur), Pratik Tayal (Tiruchi), K.J. Praveen Kumar (Nagapattinam), Aruna (Pudukottai), V. Mohanachandran (Tiruvarur), and H.S. Srikanth (Mayiladuthurai) and senior officials were present. As the sluices of the Grand Anaicut (Kallanai) were operated and water flowed into the Cauvery, the Vennaru, and Kollidam rivers. The Mettur dam was supposed to be opened for irrigation on June 12. However, it was not opened this year on the scheduled date due to poor storage. After the water level crossed 90 feet, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay released the water on September 1. After traversing along the river course for about five days from Mettur, the water reached the Grand Anicut on Saturday night. The officials said 1,000 cusecs each was released into the Cauvery and the Vennaru and 500 cusecs into the Grand Anicut canal and the Kollidam. The supply would be gradually stepped up depending upon the water realisation at the Grand Anicut. Earlier, special pujas were performed at the Anjaneyar temple on the banks of the Kollidam river, the Adhi Vinayakar temple in the park, and the Karuppannasamy temple on the banks of the Cauvery. According to official sources, it is expected that more than 4.8 lakh hectares will be covered under Samba and Thaladi paddy in the Cauvery delta districts. While 1.25 lakh hectares will be covered in Thanjavur district, the expected coverage in Tiruvarur district will be 1.4 lakh hectares. Over 61,000 hectares and 64,000 acres will be brought under the paddy coverage In Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts respectively. Published - September 06, 2026 06:41 pm IST