Four Reservoirs to Supply Water to Farmers in Cauvery Basin from Tomorrow

Bengaluru: Karnataka state government has decided to release water from four reservoirs located in River Cauvery basin in the wake severe drinking water shortage in the region following deficient rainfall activities in the region. The authorities will start supplying water from August 10 onwards and the farmers will get the water through canals.

Speaking after an all party meeting attended by MLAs, MPs and government officials held in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaih said, water from Kabini, Hemavati, Harangi and Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) will be released for drinking purpose to solve drinking water crisis of the farmers in the Mandya-Mysuru region. Under ground water level could also be raised from releasing water from the reservoirs, chief minister added.

The water released from the reservoirs should be used for drinking purpose only and shouldn’t be used for extensive irrigation purpose in the region, Siddaramaih noted. He also assured the farmers that water being released to Tamil Nadu from KRS would be reduced soon following severe water shortage in the Karnataka.

The decision to release water came amid a month long protests by the farmers of the Cauvery basin urging the state government to release water from the reservoirs for drinking and irrigation purpose.