Amid the recent recommendation by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) for Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day period, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar affirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to safeguard its farmers’ interests.
D K Shivakumar, who also oversees the state’s Water Resources department, emphasized that the government’s top priority is to implement the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, located across the Cauvery River in Kanakapura taluk, Ramanagara district. This project, however, has faced opposition from neighboring Tamil Nadu.
The CWRC’s recommendation entails that Karnataka should ensure the release of 3,000 cusecs of water, which should reach Biligundlu, a measuring station in Tamil Nadu, starting from 8 am on October 16 and continuing until October 31.
In response to the recommendation, Shivakumar stated, “Whatever the order may be, we will do all that is needed to protect the interests of our farmers; we are committed to it.” He further explained that there had been some fluctuations in the quantity of water reaching Biligundlu due to rainfall in Bengaluru and its surroundings, but overall, the situation was balanced.
Shivakumar also mentioned that Karnataka had requested the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to send a central team for inspecting the dams in the state.
Reiterating the significance of the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, Shivakumar indicated that the government is preparing to present the matter before the court. He noted that the court has verbally advised Tamil Nadu that there should be no dispute when Karnataka is constructing the dam in their territory and is willing to provide Tamil Nadu with its share of 177 tmc (thousand million cubic) water.
Regarding preparations for providing alternative land to affected farmers due to the project, Shivakumar stated that the central government’s permissions and environmental clearances are necessary. However, he emphasized that they would proceed with their survey without requiring anyone’s permission for work on their own land.
Official sources indicated that Karnataka reported to CWRC that the cumulative inflow to Karnataka’s four reservoirs up to October 10 had a shortfall of 50.891 percent. Considering the distress flows and extreme hydro-meteorological conditions, it was inferred that the flows into Karnataka reservoirs couldn’t be relied upon with certainty. As a result, Karnataka would not be able to release water from its reservoirs to reach Biligundlu, except for the water contributed from the uncontrolled catchment.
Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, had requested that Karnataka release 16,000 cusecs of water for the next 15 days, equivalent to 20.75 TMC (thousand million cubic feet).
Shivakumar also addressed power cuts in various parts of the state due to load shedding, which has affected farmers unable to operate their pumpsets. He cited the drought conditions in 195 taluks across the state as the reason for the power generation disruptions and assured that the government was working to balance the situation despite the challenges.
