MYSURU: The recent unprecedented heavy rain may have been a bane in Bengaluru and Mysuru, but it has turned out to be a boon for Tamil Nadu. For, more than 25 tmcft of rainwater has flowed from Karnataka to the lower riparian state during the last few weeks. Karnataka released 91.52 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu till the first half of October this year, bringing relief to the farmers who are dependent on Mettur reservoir.
Though the Biligundalu gauging station recorded 37 tmcft of water flowing to Tamil Nadu in September and 26.85 tmcft till October 16, the inflow into Mettur was higher. More than 10 tmcft water flowed into the Mettur reservoir from M M Hills, Palar river and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary beyond Biligundalu gauging station where the flow of water is recorded.
Sources in the irrigation department confirmed that the overflowing Arakavathy river passing through Bengaluru itself added more than 11 tmcft of water to Mettur dam.
Also, water flowed from tanks in Kolar district, particularly in Bangarpet, Malur and KGF, to Krishnagiri district. The water flows into the Cauvery near Hogenekkal on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.
The subsiding rain in Kodagu reduced the inflow into KRS reservoir where the level is 114 feet as against the maximum of 124.8 feet. Karnataka’s Cauvery basin reservoirs - Hemavathi, KRS, Kabini and Harangi - have 74 tmcft water as against the combined capacity of 114 tmcft.
No drinking water scarcity is expected in the region till June–July next year with many tanks in Mysuru, Chamarajnagar, Mandya, Hassan and parts of Tumkuru districts being full.
The irrigation department has filled tanks falling in the Cauvery command area and reduced the outflow to less than 2,000 cusecs from KRS and Kabini in the wake of copious rain.
Farmers of KRS and Kabini command areas have pressed for release of water for summer crops. Many have not taken up paddy cultivation due to delay in the release of water to irrigation canals.
Sugarcane Growers Association president Kurbur Shanthakumar said the government should ensure water for summer crops, apart from meeting the drinking water needs of urban and rural areas.
Cauvery Niravari Nigam managing director Shivashankar said that the recent rain brought great relief to state as it could reduce the outflow to Tamil Nadu. He said the priority is drinking water needs and release of water for irrigation would be decided based on the storages in reservoirs.
Water data from KRS
Current storage level 114ft
( max 124.8)
Inflow 2,439 cusecs
Outflow 596 cusecs