State releases 9,000 cusecs of water to TN

Karnataka released over 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu from Kabini reservoir, even as the farming community in the region opposed the move.

The irrigation officials discharged over 9,000 cusec of water from Kabini reservoir to fulfil the assurance made by the state to the Supreme Court.

To release the assured 10,000 cusecs of water in eight days, the state would discharge about 7 tmc ft of water from the reservoirs in Cauvery basin.

Farmers said the release of water to Tamil Nadu at this juncture would affect the farming activities and drinking water supply after January next year as the irrigation officials had to maintain good storage levels to meet drinking water needs of Bangalore, Mysore, Mandya and other towns like Kollegal, Nanjangud, T Narsipur, Malavalli, Chamrajnagar and Gundlupet.

Confirming water release from Kabini reservoir since noon, the irrigation officials said they had increased the discharge to 9,000 cusecs and the inflow had increased to 13,788 cusecs following heavy rains in Wayand area on Sunday.

Asked whether they would cut down the outflow from the reservoir in case the inflow decreased, the officials said they would act as per the government’s direction.

The irrigation officials at KRS reservoir said they released 5,326 cusecs of water through irrigation canals for drinking purpose and for semi-dry crops. Meanwhile in Bangalore, Former MLA and Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Party leader, Vatal Nagaraj on Tuesday said, “If the government releases water, we will call for Karnataka bandh.” He was staging a protest at the Vidhana Soudha.

DVS seeks Centre's intervention

Gulbarga: Former chief minister Sadananda Gowda has requested the Centre to intervene and ask the Tamil Nadu government not to insist the state to release water in Cauvery river when Karnataka itself is facing a tough situation.

Participating at the district-level workers’ convention here on Tuesday, the former CM asked the Centre to come up with a formula under which the riparian states could release water-based on the rainfall it receives.  This formula should be applied to all the rivers, he said.

Gowda said that Karnataka, especially Cauvery basin received very little rains this monsoon and natural water has already flown to TN.

Asking 25 tmcft water and insisting from various means would embarrass Karnataka, he said.