Karnataka to urge Maharashtra to release two tmcft of water
The Karnataka government will urge Maharashtra to release Krishna river water from its reservoirs to help north Karnataka tide over its drinking water scarcity. A
The Karnataka government will urge Maharashtra to release Krishna river water from its reservoirs to help north Karnataka tide over its drinking water scarcity. A delegation from the State government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is likely to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday (June 20) or Sunday (June 21), Irrigation Department officials said. The delegation plans to seek the release of two tmcft of water, which will be paid for, officials said. “Talks are likely to be held on reviving plans for a water swap agreement between the two States, where Maharashtra will release Krishna river water from its reservoirs in exchange for the release of water from the Tubachi Babaleshwar Lift Irrigation Project,’’ a senior engineer said.
District administration officials said that the situation is alarming as water levels in most of the dams in Belagavi district are low. “The Hidkal dam, which is the primary source of drinking water for Belagavi and surrounding areas, has just around one tmcft of water, enough for around six weeks. In order to preserve water, the 24-hour water supply to some wards in Belagavi city has been reduced to just two hours per day. The release of at least two tmcft of water from Maharashtra would be of great help now,’’ said an officer.
Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan said that for several years, Maharashtra has been releasing water from its reservoirs. “It had ranged from two to four tmcft every year. However, in the last few years, this has stopped. Due to the Super El Nino effect and other reasons, monsoon has been delayed this year. We have written to the State government seeking resumption of water release from Maharashtra. This proposal is likely to be approved in a meeting in Mumbai on Saturday (June 20).’’ Roshan added that the district administration is making arrangements to face the impending water scarcity.
“The water in our reservoirs will last till the third week of July. Impounded water will be used for drinking purposes on priority. We have enough stocks of fodder for the next 36 weeks,’’ he said.
The BriefWire