Bengaluru: Karnataka is not going to receive more rains this season to help fill reservoirs in the Cauvery basin. So, whatever water is available in the reservoirs must be used judiciously at least till next monsoon, according to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) sources.
“The situation is grim. There is no hope left for the reservoirs to fill up at least this year. Though rains are expected in the south interior region comprising Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar, it will help only agriculture", sources told DC.
The monsoon began on a promising note in June but weakened subsequently in the catchment areas. Kodagu and Waynad in Kerala-the catchment areas of the Cauvery basin reservoirs like Krishnaraja Sagar, Kabini and Harangi, failed to receive normal rains resulting in poor inflow into reservoirs.
While Kodagu received less than 50 per cent of the usual quota, it was minus 60 per cent to 70 per cent in Waynad. The prediction for this month is dismal except mild showers in coastal and Malnad districts. “We are expecting some change...but that is not going to ensure water flow into our reservoirs in the Cauvery basin,” sources said.
Unfortunately, the state, this time, did not receive rains that would have helped good inflow of water into the dams in Cauvery basin. If the monsoon was good, almost all reservoirs in this basin would have filled to the brim and would have helped in the release of water into canals.
This time, even a small dam like Kabini did not fill up indicating the grim situation, sources said adding that the state had to be content with whatever water was available in the reservoirs. Release of water for agriculture may result in a severe drinking water scarcity in major cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru.
Beacon of hope: Sources said rains are expected during the North-East monsoon during October-November in south interior districts which may help the standing crops but not the reservoirs. This would help in recharging the water table. In Karnataka, only two reservoirs-Almatti and Narayanapur in N Karnataka are full, thanks to heavy rain in Maharashtra.
An officer in the CM’s office said the state, so far, had released 20 tmcft of water to TN as against 94 tmcft stipulated for June, July and August. The Tribunal had fixed 192 tmcft to be released to TN from June-May.
"The water available in KRS is not sufficient even to meet the drinking water needs of our people. When this is the ground reality, how can the TN government expect Karnataka to release water?”
