Widespread protests were staged in different parts of the district on Tuesday to condemn the State government’s decision to increase the quantity of Cauvery water being discharged to Tamil Nadu.
As per the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) order, 34 tmcft of water should be released from Karnataka to the neighbouring State in July. In spite of poor storage in the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir, as the State has to comply with the CWDT order. Owing to this, the Irrigation Department increased the outflow quantum on Sunday.
Water was being discharged at the rate of around 2,000 cusecs till Sunday. However, the quantum was increased to 3,034 cusecs on Sunday and 3,946 cusecs on Monday. It was further increased to 4,014 cusecs on Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subsequently, members of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) staged demonstrations at Melkote, Pandavapura, Srirangapatna, Mandya and Maddur.
Traffic was blocked for a while in Srirangapatna and Maddur.
Yogasanas were performed at Maddur to protest the increased discharge of water.
ADVERTISEMENT
The farmers accused the State government of neglecting their interests by discharging waters to Tamil Nadu in spite of poor storage in State reservoirs.
The government was urged to immediately stop discharging water to the neighbouring State and to discharge water into canals to help the farming community to take up agricultural activities.
KRS Level
Meanwhile, according to officials at Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. (CNNL), the water level in KRS stood at 88.70 ft. while the full-reservoir level is 124.8 ft. The inflow on Tuesday morning was at the rate of 7,386 cusecs.