Cauvery delta farmers have urged Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to release Mettur water for irrigation on June 1, instead of the usual June 12. In a representation, vice-president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers' Welfare Association K.V. Kannan said in view of comfortable storage position, the government could consider the request. If water were released on June 1, farmers could harvest bumper kuruvai crop well ahead of the northeast monsoon. Experience showed that late release had delayed the cropping season and the standing crop faced the threat of submergence owing to floods during the northeast monsoon. To avert such rain-related losses, the government could advance the date of water release, Mr. Kannan said.