The sluice gates of Stanley Reservoir in the Mettur dam was opened this morning for farming activities in the 16.04 lakh acres of land in the Delta region. Around 5,000 cusecs water started gushing out of the reservoir.

State PWD Minister Edapadi K. Palaniswamy opened the gates at 8 .m. in the presence of Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister P. Thangamani, Social Welfare Minister V. Saroja, Environment Minister K.C. Karupannan and Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar.

“The quantum of water will be increased in the coming days based on the requirement in the delta region,” Palaniswamy said.

The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, ordered the release of water from the Mettur dam after the Karnataka Government started letting out Cauvery water following a Supreme Court direction.

Water level at the Mettur dam stood at 87.68 feet this morning as against the maximum level of 120 feet.