Mysore: Every government in the past did it and the current Congress government is no different. The State government began releasing water to Tamil Nadu from Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir on Tuesday evening triggering instant protests by the farming community in Mandya.
The KRS dam, he lifeline for people of Mandya, Mysore and Bengaluru for irrigation and drinking purposes, has hardly touched 87 ft as against the maximum level of 124.80 ft. Dam officials have started discharging 8,050 cusecs of water into the river leading to Tamil Nadu on Tuesday late evening. The inflow is around 20,000 cusecs.
The strategy of the government is it plans to cover the maximum deficit when the monsoon is at its peak. With Kodagu district, which is the catchment areas for KRS, continues to receive good rainfall and the forecast showing more rains, the government has opened KRS gates.
The danger is if the monsoon doesn't bring enough rain on expected rains, the decision would spell disaster for the region. Just to avoid full-fledged Cauvery agitation like seen in the past, the government has taken the unprecedented decision to open KRS gates to Tamil Nadu so early. The water level at KRS stood at 112 ft in 2013 at this time.
