Samba farmers in the Delta districts of Tamil Nadu are facing apprehension as the water level in the Mettur dam has dropped to just 53 ft. This decline has led to a delay in commencing Samba cultivation. In comparison, during the same period last year, the water level stood at a healthier 120 ft. Farmers express worry over the announced release of 10 tmcft of Cauvery water by the Karnataka government, as it might not suffice for sustaining their crops.
Despite attempts to use groundwater for Samba nurseries, uncertainties about the availability of Cauvery water persist. Protests have emerged at both local and governmental levels, as Tamil Nadu farmers demand sufficient water to support their Samba cultivation.