The failure of monsoon for the third consecutive year in the poll bound Karnataka has made Chief Minister Siddaramaiah worry over its consequences. He has expressed that the distress over failure of monsoon was going to added to the woes of the State. The pressure for water within from the Cauvery belt farmers and from Tamil Nadu is creating more problems to the Government. A source in the Government said, “We have to face more court cases.” However, Siddaramaiah assured the agitating farmers of the Cauvery heartland Mandya that unless situation improves water will not be flown to Tamil Nadu from Karnataka.
According to Karnataka Water Resources Ministry this time so far the weak monsoon in the State has resulted in poor inflow into the four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin — KRS, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathi — and the combined storage levels stood at 26 tmcft compared to 57.89 tmcft last year. In a way the failure of monsoon in the election year is forcing Karnataka to prepare for another water war with Tamil Nadu. Many in the ruling congress believe the failure of Monsoon will have its impact on the ensuing assembly polls. A congress leader said” SM Krishna faced the same situation but not to this extent. I strongly feel this will have an impact on the poll bound state unless the party works out a new strategy.”
Water Resources Minister MB Patil said the State Government will wait for two more weeks and if the monsoon fails to pick up, it will convene a meeting of all stakeholders to decide on its next step of action. He said the Government is keeping its fingers crossed and hoping for good rain in the coming days.
He said “last year, the state was considered to be reeling under its worst drought during the last 40 years. The total storage in the four reservoirs of Cauvery basin stood at 57.89 tmcft this date last year. However, today, the combined storage level stands at 26 tmcft, less than half compared to last year.”
According to Patil priority of the government would be for drinking water, followed by agriculture and supply of water to industries. “The kharif season has begun and there is no adequate water for irrigation purposes. Farmers should realise the situation,” the minister added. However the water level in reservoirs in North Karnataka is also low, but better compared to that in the Cauvery basin.
Water resources minister feels given the distress situation, it is not practically possible for the state to release the stipulated quantum of water to Tamil Nadu as per the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award. He said that from June 1 till date, Karnataka has released 2.2 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu. As per the award, Karnataka has to release 44 tmcft (10 tmcft in June and 34 tmcft in July) to the neighbouring state. The state is releasing about 25 to 30% of the total inflow to Tamil Nadu every day, he said.
As the state is facing another drought the agrarian situation is grim and is facing one more difficult year in dealing with water distribution to agriculture and drinking. Earlier this month, Karnataka farmers and pro-Karnataka outfits had staged protests against the release of water to the neighbouring state instead of taking steps to increase water storage level at KRS dam. eom/blr