Amid deficit rain, TN and Karnataka spar over Cauvery waters

The next day, Tamil Nadu, which has regularly sparred with Karnataka over Cauvery water, wrote to the Central Government seeking its intervention to ensure the release of water from KRS dam for its Kuruvai crop. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin wrote to Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat complaining that Karnataka had released only 3.78 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) water, against a prescribed quantum of 26.32 TMC till July 20.

Farmer leader Kurubur Shantakumar, who heads Karnataka Rajya State Sugarcane Growers’ Association said that the authorities had released water for drinking water purposes to the canal a couple of days ago. “Water for agriculture is yet to be released due to deficient rainfall,” he said, adding that farmers were expecting release of more water as rainfall improved in the coming days.

Compared to north Karnataka reservoirs, the ones in the south are yet to record any significant inflows. As on July 22, the cumulative inflow to all four major dams in Cauvery basin – Harangi, Hemavathi, KRS and Kabini – was around 26,608 cusecs, according to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).

Inflow to KRS was at just 6,278 cusecs with the dam currently holding 16.69 TMC water. The dam – which is currently at 34 per cent of its full capacity – was near full during the same day last year.

Catchment areas of the Cauvery basin are the only region in Karnataka which are still in the red, when it comes to monsoon rainfall. India Meteorological Department (IMD) data shows that Kodak – where Cauvery river originates – has received less than half the normal rainfall for the period. The same was true for districts such as Hassan (44 per cent deficit), Mandya (23 per cent), Mysuru (15 per cent). Similarly, rainfall in Kerala districts,  which are a part of Cauvery catchment, is also deficient till date.

Forecasts indicate an improvement in monsoon conditions in Karnataka and Kerala during the coming week.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said that though there was severe deficit in rainfall, the situation was steadily improving. “We are hopeful that improved rainfall can take care of the needs of both states,” he told The Indian Express.