Alert sounded at Mettur Dam, water discharged

After 44 years, over two lakh cusecs of water was discharged from the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur into the Cauvery River due to heavy inflow into the dam.

Authorities have issued flood alert in 11 districts on the banks of the Cauvery. State Public Works Department sources told UNI on Monday morning that, in 1961, authorities discharged approximately 3.12 lakh cusecs into the Cauvery River and Monday's quantum of outflow was the largest after a 44-year gap.

The reservoir recorded an inflow of 2,15,162 cusecs, while 2,14,919 cusecs at 0900 hrs Monday was discharged into the Cauvery River. The outflow may be stepped up if the inflows continued to remain heavy.

• Flood warning in Cauvery delta

The water level in the reservoir stood at 121.500 feet Monday morning as against its full capacity of 120 feet. The Stanley Reservoir can store up to 124 feet of water.

Meanwhile, authorities have issued flood warning to people residing in low lying areas in the 11 districts. Police and PWD authorities are monitoring the situation round-the-clock. The Stanley Reservoir had surplussed for the third time this year and for the 37th time in its 71-year-history.