Surplus water is released through the 16-slot Ellis Saddle culverts from the Stanley Dam after reaching its full capacity at Mettur in Salem district on October 21, 2025 | Photo credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan
The Stanley reservoir in Mettur of Salem district reached its full reservoir level (FRL) of 120 feet for the seventh time this year on Monday (October 20, 2025), following which 30,000 cusecs of excess water was released into the Cauvery river.
Due to heavy rains in the catchment areas of Karnataka, the dam has been recording significant inflows for the past few days. An official from the water resources department said that after the reservoir reached its full level, the flow increased to 20,000 cusecs through the dam power plant and the tunnel power plant.
Releasing excess water from Stanley Dam on October 21, 2025 after it reached its full capacity at Mettur in Salem district | Video Credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan
Lower dam staff were instructed to maintain discharge levels without any deviation. Irrigation discharges through the East and West Bank canals continued at the rate of 500 cusecs.
At 8 am on Tuesday, October 21, the inflow was 30,500 cusecs while the water level was 120 feet, FRL of the dam. The storage was 93.47 tmc ft. against the dam capacity of 93.47 tmc ft.
Surplus water is released through the 16-slot Ellis Saddle culverts from the Stanley Dam after reaching its full capacity at Mettur in Salem district on October 21, 2025 | Photo credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan
Of the total discharge, 22,300 cusecs was released through the powerhouses, while 7,700 cusecs was released through the 16-vent Ellis Saddle excess sluices.
The official said a flood warning was issued in 11 districts in the delta region and residents in low-lying areas were advised to move to safer places.
Published – 21 Oct 2025 11:29 IST
