The “record-breaking” rain seen in south Karnataka may not bring as much cheer to farmers. A majority of reservoirs still record lower-than-normal water levels. Officials believe the water is enough to “protect” current crop, but not enough to irrigate the rabi crops that are yet to be sown, or summer crops.
The 13 major reservoirs in the State now hold half the water capacity, while water storage is 40 per cent less than in the same period last year.
The past two weeks has seen south Karnataka getting bounteous northeast monsoon rain, in part due to depressions in the Arabian Sea and in the Bay of Bengal, as well as a cyclone close to Tamil Nadu. However, officials say the rain has not been heavy in the Western Ghats and in catchment areas of most rivers. The situation in reservoirs has still not improved.
What this means, however, is that most reservoirs will continue to have enough water for drinking purposes in the summer.
T.N. Chikkarayappa, Managing Director of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. (CNNL), which monitors four major reservoirs of south Karnataka, said: “The water inflow to the Krishnaraja Sagar has increased by nearly 6 TMC. But, this will be enough only to protect standing crops. In Hemavati and Harangi dams, the water levels have not increased significantly.”
In the Hemavati, for instance, the High-level Right Canal, which irrigates 56,000 acres, will stop seeing water flow within two days, while in Harangi, there is enough water only for “crop protection”.
The rain has left the dams of north Karnataka — including Almatti — unaffected as there is no increase in water flow, said officials, adding that additional water cannot be released for any further crop.
“It’s going to be a tough year ahead. We hoped for water for most crops until November-end. But, with rain abating, and not enough having been received in Malnad region, we will have to reassess the situation in mid-December,” says C.N. Swamy, Director, Agriculture Department.
While the summer crop — which produces paddy, pulses and groundnut — is in doubt in irrigated areas, even sugarcane in many areas are in trouble as they need continuous water supply till February. “There is no alternative also. Tanks are drying up, reservoir levels are low, and with 135 taluks drought-hit, even borewell water is difficult,” he said.
