The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) has given instructions to all the district collectors along the banks of River Cauvery to take precautions due to the water outflow from Mettur dam.

In its tweet, the TNSDMA said, “The inflow in Mettur dam has increased to 1,35,000 cusecs and accordingly outflow is being upscaled to 1,35,000 . Instructions have been given to all the Collectors in Kaveri Basin to take all precautionary actions.”

The inflow in Mettur dam has increased to 1,35,000 cusecs and accordingly outflow is being upscaled to 1,35,000 . Instructions have been given to all the Collectors in Kaveri Basin to take all precautionary actions.

— TN SDMA (@tnsdma) August 11, 2018

Heavy rains have been lashing Kerala and parts of Karnataka, which has led to dams filling up. Many dams have been opened in Kerala after they reached the Full Reservoir Levels (FRL), which has in turn led to swollen rivers and canals. People have been evacuated from the danger zones and are now living in relief camps opened by the state government across the state.

The combined inflow to Krishnarajasagara and Kabini dams in Karnataka as of 2 pm on Saturday stood at over 1,15,000 cusecs and the combined outflow from these two dams to Tamil Nadu at the same time stood at over 1,40,000 cusecs.

Foreseeing an increase in the water levels in Mettur, the Central Water Commission (CWC) had issued a flood warning to six districts along Cauvery – Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Erode, Tiruchi and Thanjavur – on Thursday.

Flood advisory warning for six districts in Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/UUda1WwvLM

— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) August 9, 2018

“In view of heavy rain in Karnataka and Kerala, there is likelihood of heavy release of water from Kabini dam and Krishnarajasagara Dam. The combined discharge (more than 1 lakh cusecs) is expected to reach Mettur Dam within two days. Suitable precautionary steps may be taken and downstream areas informed of the release,” said the advisory statement.