HYDERABAD: It is clear now. The Karnataka government is unwilling to release water to farmers under Jurala project. Though, Jurala superintending engineer Khagender personally requested Karnataka chief minister Sadananda Goud to release 5 tmc water five days ago, Karnataka government is yet to respond to the plea.
Irrigation officials said that it was not clear yet whether Karnataka would release water or not. Karnataka was willing to release only 2 tmc water for drinking water needs of Mahabubnagar.
The farmers were worried over the standing paddy and groundnut crops raised in 69,000 acres in Mahbubnagar district. The crops would wither away, if water was not provided in the next 20 days. The worried farmers were resorting to agitations. District minister DK Aruna's repeated appeal to farmers not to worry about water and that Karnataka would release water soon fell on deaf ears.
In the meantime, officials have decided to release water on turn basis to farmers. Water level at Jurala has further come down to 5.201 tmc. The inflows from Narayanapur were nil and the outflows were recorded at 832 cusecs.
"We have made our efforts by taking up the matter with the Karnataka government. Now it should be pursued at the government level," said an irrigation official.
Even as Jurala farmers were suffering for water, the officials reportedly wanted the government to release 5 tmc from Jurala for power generation.