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Vijay had arrived in Salem district to open the gates of the Mettur Dam and release water for Samba cultivation in the Cauvery Delta. Samba is a major paddy crop grown in Tamil Nadu.

Amid the official proceedings, his brief interaction with the woman became one of the most striking moments of the visit.

The Chief Minister removed his glasses and gifted them to her. Moments later, she was seen wearing the oversized frames, holding his arm and walking beside him.

Smiling, she waved to the people gathered along the route as Vijay guided her through the crowd.

For a few moments, the ceremonial visit took on a warmer, more personal character as the elderly woman walked beside the Chief Minister wearing his glasses.

After her memorable interaction with the actor-turned-politician, the elderly woman posed for photographs, smiling broadly as cameras captured the moment. METTUR WATER RELEASED FOR SAMBA CULTIVATION

The Chief Minister later opened the Mettur Dam gates to release water for Samba paddy cultivation during the 2026–27 season and meet drinking water requirements across the Cauvery basin.

The government said the dam’s storage level and inflow would be monitored continuously, with water released in phases according to irrigation requirements.

Joint monitoring teams will act against illegal pumping from the Cauvery and its canals, unauthorised extraction and the drawing of water beyond permitted limits.

The government also stressed the need to conserve the limited water available while safeguarding Samba cultivation.

Farmers have been advised to choose medium-duration paddy varieties that require less water and adopt water-saving methods such as direct seeding.

The government said it was also pursuing legal and administrative measures to protect Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water and the rights of Cauvery Delta farmers.- EndsPublished By: Aprameya RaoPublished On: Sep 1, 2026 17:45 IST