Water released from Mettur dam to meet the drinking water need of Chennai reached Grand Anicut on Thursday.
The Public Works Department had stepped up the discharge into Cauvery river from Mettur dam to 8,000 cusecs on March 31 and maintained the same quantum of water release the next day too. But, it was gradually stepped down to 6,000 cusecs.
It took about four days for the water to reach Mayanur regulator on Wednesday. According to PWD sources, the entire quantum of water realised at Mayanur regulator is being discharged.
The water being let out into the Cauvery from Upper Anicut meandered its way past the city on Wednesday night and reached Grand Anicut on Thursday morning.
A PWD official said that except for the first two days of the release, discharge from the Mettur reservoir stood at 6,000 cusecs. Same quantum would be maintained until April 9. From the Grand Anicut, the water was being let out into the Kollidam river and it would be carried to Veeranam lake in Cuddalore district. From there, water would be pumped out for drinking water purpose in Chennai.
The official indicated that the current release was aimed at managing the water scarcity in Chennai. Instructions had been given to officials not to allow farmers to divert water for irrigation. It would also be used for recharging groundwater along the river course.