Available water in reservoirs to be used only as drinking water: Minister

Karnataka not in a position to share Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu even under the distress formula, says Water Resource Minister.

The severe drought situation in the State has forced the Government to set aside the available water in the reservoirs only for drinking purposes, said Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil on Friday.

Addressing presspersons here, the Minister said a direction in this regard had been issued to the officials. “Although the storage level in all reservoirs is low compared to last year because of deficient monsoon, we can easily meet the drinking water needs of the State till June with the existing water,” the Minister said.

“Depending on the monsoon if the storage exceeds the level that is required to meet the drinking water needs, water would be let into the canals for agricultural use. As of now the officials have been directed to stop water flow into the canals for agricultural use,” he said.

Not in a position to share Cauvery water even under distress formula, says Minister

With the State having received the lowest rainfall in the Cauvery basin this year, it is not in a position to share Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu even under the distress formula, said Water Resources Minister M B Patil.

Addressing presspersons here on Friday, the Minister said although the State so far tried its best to release water under the distress formula – this despite the deficient monsoon – it was however not possible now.

Stating that this stand of the Government could change if the State received good rains, the Minister said a look at the storage levels of various reservoirs was an indication of the poor rainfall.

Officials said the storage level is KRS is the lowest this year with a storage of 26.92 tmcft as against it capacity of 49.45 tmcft as on August 28. The storage level in the corresponding period last year was 47.15 tmcft.

The storage level in Kabini is 15.73 tmcft against the capacity of 19.52 tmcft. The water level was 18.49 tmcft during the corresponding period last year.

The storage in Harangi reservoir is 6.93 tmcft as against the capacity of 8.5 tmcft. The water level during the corresponding period was 7.33 tmcft.

In Hemavathi, the storage level is 23.42 tmcft as against its capacity of 37.10 tmcft. In the corresponding period last year the water level was 36.74 tmcft.