Karnataka Cuts Cauvery Water Release to Tamil Nadu by 57% as Inflows Decline
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BENGALURU, Sept 8: Karnataka has sharply reduced the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, cutting the combined discharge from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs by nearly 57 per cent in a day amid weakening rainfall and inflows in the upper Cauvery basin.
The combined outflow from the two reservoirs fell to 5,200 cusecs from 11,983 cusecs, a reduction of 6,783 cusecs, reflecting growing pressure on Karnataka's water reserves as inflows declined.
The reduction is significant for Tamil Nadu, where Cauvery water is vital for storage at the Mettur Dam and irrigation in the Cauvery delta. A prolonged drop in downstream flows could heighten concerns among farmers dependent on the river for standing crops and seasonal cultivation.
At KRS in Mandya district, the reservoir level stood at 106.84 feet against its full reservoir level of 124.80 feet. Inflows had dropped to 2,511 cusecs, while the discharge remained considerably higher at 4,800 cusecs, putting additional pressure on storage.
At the Kabini reservoir in Mysuru district, the water level stood at 2,268.50 feet against a full reservoir level of 2,284 feet, with inflows recorded at 2,514 cusecs.
The decline in inflows has been attributed to a let-up in rainfall in Kodagu and other upper catchment areas of the Cauvery basin. With inflows at KRS falling below the volume being released, reservoir storage has begun to decline steadily.
Karnataka's latest reduction comes amid the continuing dispute with Tamil Nadu over the sharing of Cauvery water. The state has maintained that prevailing rainfall, inflows and reservoir storage conditions should be taken into account while deciding the quantum of water to be released downstream.
Authorities are expected to closely monitor the hydrological situation in the Cauvery basin before taking any further decision on water discharge. A fresh spell of rainfall in Kodagu and Wayanad could provide some relief by improving inflows into KRS, Kabini and other reservoirs.
