In the summer, there is enough water in the Mettur dam to serve Salem.

Following the unexpected summer rains in the catchment areas, the water level in the Mettur dam has risen. The water level is now at 105.53 feet, enough to supply drinking water to the Salem district through the first week of June.

Excess water from the Mettur dam was discharged for delta irrigation on most days from June to January last year, following heavy rains. Following the cessation of the discharge, approximately 1,000 to 1,500 cusecs of water were withdrawn from the dam for various drinking water programmes. The water level then dropped from 108 feet (the level on January 28) to 105 feet final week in March.

Despite the fact that the water level was predicted to drop below 100 feet this summer, rain in April helped keep it at 105.53 feet.

When an area reaches a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, a heatwave is declared, based mostly on absolute temperatures.