The Bhavanisagar Dam, a major source of drinking water for Erode, Karur and Tiruppur districts and the lifeline for irrigation of about 2.47 lakh acres, has recorded a sharp fall in its storage level.

The dam, which has a full reservoir level of 105 ft, depends largely on inflows from the Nilgiris. With inflow declining over the past few weeks and discharge for irrigation continuing at a higher rate, the water level has been falling steadily.

According to Water Resources Department officials, the water level stood at 60.78 ft at 2 p.m. on May 6, 2026 (Wednesday). The inflow into the dam was 57 cusecs, while the storage stood at 7.51 tmc ft, against its full capacity of 32.8 tmc ft. Release of water through the Lower Bhavani Project canal has been stopped. However, 800 cusecs is being discharged through the Thadapalli–Arakkankottai channels and 200 cusecs into River Bhavani for drinking water purposes, taking the total discharge to 1,000 cusecs.

With no rainfall in the catchment areas, the continued drop in the dam’s water level has caused concern among farmers.