Storage in Karnataka’s Cauvery reservoirs stands at 52% of total capacity as CWMA is set to review situation on July 22
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), which is the apex body that monitors implementation of Cauvery water release to lower riparian States as per the
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), which is the apex body that monitors implementation of Cauvery water release to lower riparian States as per the Supreme Court’s verdict, is meeting in Delhi on Wednesday to review the situation. This meeting has assumed importance as it comes at a time when the catchment areas in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin are facing deficit rainfall. While the entire State is facing a rainfall deficit of about 35%, the Kodagu region that forms the biggest catchment area for the Cauvery besides being the point of origin for the river, has reported a shortage of 45%. Rainfall deficit in Kodagu will have serious impact on the southern part of the State that depends on Cauvery water.
Cumulative storage The cumulative storage in the four reservoirs in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin – Harangi, Hemavati, KRS and Kabini – accounts for just 52% of their full storage capacity as of now. Of this, the storage at KRS is particularly poor as it accounts for a mere 35% of its full capacity. The inflows too are poor as KRS reported inflows of 775 cusecs on July 21. The Karnataka government has already declared that it would not release water for irrigation purposes and that whatever storage is there in the reservoirs has to be used only for drinking purposes. The deficit rainfall resulting in poor storage has come in the way of adhering to the stipulated quota of release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as per the Supreme Court’s directive.
It is being said that only 3.4 tmcft of water has been released by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu from June 1 to July 19 as per the measurement at Biligundlu measuring gauge as against the stipulated quantum of 28.3 tmcft. Speaking to The Hindu, Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “In view of drought, we have decided to use the water stored in reservoirs of the Cauvery basin only for drinking water requirements.” Southwest monsoon key Meanwhile, weather experts are concerned over deficit rainfall under southwest monsoon in Karnataka. Pointing out that the southwest monsoon is the mainstay of the State’s weather system as it accounts for nearly 75% of the calendar year’s rainfall, they say that if the monsoon continues to be poort, the State would face a crisis.
The Karnataka Cabinet that met a few days ago under the chairmanship of Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has decided to submit a memorandum to the Centre in about 15 days seeking declaration of drought. The Wednesday’s meeting of CWMA comes close on the heels of the meeting by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) that took stock of the issue. In its earlier meeting held on June 23, the CWMA had directed the basin States to make judicious use of water available in reservoirs, particularly for drinking water needs.
The BriefWire