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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presided over the live-streamed ceremonial opening of the Mettur Stanley Reservoir in Salem district, releasing water for Kuruvai paddy cultivation across the Cauvery Delta. The broadcast captured the moment the dam's sluice gates were raised, sending massive volumes of stored water into the Cauvery River basin. Accompanied by cabinet colleagues, district collectors, and senior engineers from the Water Resources Department, Stalin showered traditional flower petals onto the water to bless the seasonal agricultural cycle.

The live event underscored the historic significance of advancing the water release to May, an occurrence without precedent in post-independence administrative history. Stalin reviewed the water discharge metrics on site, confirming an initial discharge of three thousand cusecs, scheduled to be scaled up progressively to ten thousand cusecs as canal networks filled. He stressed that early water release will enable farmers across twelve districts to complete transplanting on schedule and utilize surface water instead of depleting groundwater reserves.

Stalin commended irrigation engineers and district administrations for completing preliminary channel clearances ahead of schedule. He reiterated that his administration is dedicated to safeguarding farmer prosperity throughout the cropping season.