TN Told to Conserve Water, Said Karnataka Minister

BENGALURU: Considering the submissions made by Karnataka government in its meeting with the Cauvery Water Management Authority, competent to take decision on release from Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) reservoir and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) have asked riparian States of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu “to conserve water to the extent possible in their designated reservoirs” and wanted “priority be given for the requirements for drinking water and environmental flows.”

Responding to Udhayanidhi Stalin, Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly, Karnataka Minister of Water Resources Ramalinga Reddy on Thursday stated the cumulative Live Storage in four reservoirs in Karnataka in River Cauvery basin such as KRS, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathy, as on June 30, was 15.761 tmc feet which is inadequate for meeting the drinking water needs of Bengaluru Metropolitan region, Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Bengaluru South and other towns for the next three months.

The Minister said “as of now, River Cauvery basin being a deficit basin” and stated Indian Meteorological Department since mid-May has been coming out with regular updates on delayed monsoon and deficit rainfall.

He stated to Udhay Stalin “Karnataka’s inability to release water is dictated by negligible flows into four reservoirs in River Cauvery and inadequate storages in these reservoirs” and pointed out the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) recommends to the Cauvery Water Management Authority which is the competent body to decide on release of water from KRS reservoir situated in Mandya district. Reddy clarified to Udhay Stalin that “Karnataka has no role in release of water from KRS.”

Exuding confidence that the situation would ease in coming days, Reddy said the South-west monsoon will pick-up in the coming days and sufficient flows would be available in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu reservoirs.”