Karnataka begins releasing water in accordance with CWMA orders.

The Forecast 2 years ago Tamil Nadu

Karnataka has began transferring water from its reservoirs to Tamil Nadu in accordance with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) orders.

On Wednesday morning, the outflow from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir in Mandya district into the Cauvery was 4,398 cusecs (cubic feet per second), compared to an inflow of 2,300 cusecs.

The rate of outflow was 2,292 cusecs around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, but it was increased about 11 p.m.

As of 8 a.m. on Wednesday, the outflow rate from the Kabini reservoir in Mysuru district was 2,000 cusecs, and the total discharge from both reservoirs will be roughly 6,398 cusecs.

By Wednesday evening, the outflow from the KRS alone was further increased to 7,329 cusecs.

The CWMA on Tuesday directed the State to ensure 5,000 cusecs of water at Billigundulu on the inter-State boundary every day up to September 12.

Though Karnataka had strongly put forth its inability to release water, the CWMA upheld the recommendations made by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee to release 5,000 cusecs. Various farmers organisations had threatened to launch an agitation if water is released.

The State government’s decision to comply with the CWMA directives is also seen as an attempt to avoid strictures from the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the issue during the week.

Later in the day, farmers belonging to the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) launched a protest near the KRS against the government move. Karnataka and the core areas of the Cauvery basin were facing severe drought and the current storage was barely enough to meet the drinking water needs of the region, the KRRS said