There is only 63 percent water in the Cauvery basin dams, so we aren't in a position to release one TMC water each day, said the CM.
Published Jul 14, 2024 | 8:21 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2024 | 8:21 PM
Karnataka CM and Deputy CM
After an all-party meeting, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday, 14 July, said that the state government was ready to release 8,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery River every day to neighbouring Tamil Nadu instead of one TMC as directed by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee till this month-end.
There is only 63 percent water in the Cauvery basin dams and in this situation, the state was not in a position to release one TMC water each day, the Chief Minister told reporters.
This time Krishnarajasagar dam on the Cauvery River has only 54 percent water whereas other dams in the Cauvery basin have only 63 percent water. On 12 July, the inflow of water was 5,000 cusec water in Kabini, which was allowed to flow towards Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister said, adding that 5,000 cusecs water was flowing in Biligundlu on 12 July.
He further explained that on 12 July, 20,000 cusecs and 19,000 cusecs on 13 July was released for Tamil Nadu from Kabini dam because water cannot be stored for long due to its holding capacity. Siddarmaaiah said all the parties in Karnataka were unanimous that they should appeal to the CWMA stating that releasing one TMC water was not possible.
“Katarki said we cannot say we cannot release water because it will be disrespectful to the Cauvery Tribunal. We will release 8,000 cusecs. If there is good rain then it is okay to release one TMC. We are expecting good rains this time,” he noted. The Chief Minister said 2023 was a ‘distress year’ with scanty rainfall.
“In a normal year, we release 177 TMC but last year we released only 81 TMC water,” he added.
Deputy Chief Minister D Shivakumar, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, JD(S) MLA G T Deve Gowda, farmer leaders, and legal experts attended the meeting.
DK Shivakumar, addressing the reporters, explained, “CWMA decided that one TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water must be allocated, despite the state facing a 30 percent water shortage.”
He mentioned that the State government plans to appeal before the monitoring committee.
#Karnataka Deputy CM @DKShivakumar speaking to the media after an all-party meeting stated that CWMA decided that one TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water must be allocated, despite the state facing a 30% water shortage.
He mentioned that the State government plans to… pic.twitter.com/uk7JUb95qo
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) July 14, 2024
(Edited by Neena with inputs from PTI and Nolan Patrick Pinto)
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