Mysuru
Amid the order to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, farmer organisations in Mysuru have staged protests opposing the move and demanded that water should not be released without considering Karnataka’s drinking water and irrigation needs.
Deputy Chief Engineer of the Cauvery Nigam Ranganath provided details about the water availability in the three major reservoirs of the Cauvery basin — Kabini, Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), and Harangi. He stated that around 30 TMC of water is currently available for use from these reservoirs.
According to the official, Kabini reservoir has a total storage of 14.7 TMC, of which only 10.5 TMC is available for utilisation. KRS reservoir currently has around 17 TMC of water, with 12.74 TMC available for use. Harangi reservoir in Kodagu has 8.12 TMC of water, of which 7.69 TMC can be utilised.
Ranganath explained that water release decisions should be taken only after discussions by the Irrigation Advisory Committee. He added that permission from the Regional Commissioner of Mysuru is required if water is to be released for drinking purposes.
Meanwhile, farmer organisations held protests at different locations in Mysuru demanding that the government should stop releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. At the KADA office, a protest was led by Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association leader Hallihundi Bhagyaraj, who warned that farmers would intensify their agitation if water was released.
At Gun House, Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association State President Kuruburu Shanthakumar led a road blockade on Ooty Road. Protesters displayed empty pots and questioned the decision to supply water to Tamil Nadu when Karnataka itself was facing water shortages and drought-like conditions.
Another protest was held near the Gandhi statue in front of the court premises under the leadership of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Hasiru Sene State President Badagalapura Nagendra. The protesters urged the government to reconsider the decision and explore legal options to protect Karnataka’s water interests.