Blow to Karnataka:3,000 cusecs Cauvery water to be released till Oct 15

The CWRC further directed Karnataka to release 3 thousand cusecs of Cauvery river water till Oct 15 amidst on going successful Bengaluru bandh. This is a set back for Karnataka as it is reeling under drought. The Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC). Karnataka was recommended by the CWMC to release 3000 cusecs water on a daily basis to Tamil Nadu. 
In the meeting , held in New Delhi, presented the case that the state Government in the order dated September 13 has declared 161 talukas in the State as severely drought affected and 34 talukas as moderately drought affected. Out of this, 32 talukas were severely affected by drought and 15 moderately drought-affected talukas fall in the Cauvery basin. This aspect needs utmost recognition and invites critical consideration by the committee.  The shortfall in cumulative inflows to Karnataka’s four reservoirs up to September 25 is 53.04% and Karnataka is not in a position to release any water from its reservoirs or contribute any flows from its reservoirs to the flows to be maintained at the interstate border in Biligundlu.
As per information Tamil Nadu also submitted two points-Karnataka too has to reduce its irrigation supply based on the distress proportion.Karnataka has to release the shortfall quantity immediately & further flows as per the distress proportion.Meanwhile, protests erupted both in Karnataka.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met the farmers who are protesting near Mandya nd discussed the issue of Cauvery water.Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti set a 3-day deadline for the government to announce its decision, failing which it will intensify protests.Another Karnataka bandh is slated. There is only 20 tmc left in the reservoir and how can Karnataka keeps on releasing water? is a big question.
Amid mounting pressure on the Karnataka government against releasing Cauvery river water, the Tamil Nadu on Tuesday said the Supreme Court's verdict should be binding, notwithstanding such agitations.Tamil Nadu is continuing to receive water from Karnataka. Till Tuesday, the state has received 7,000 cusecs of water, state Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan said on Tuesday. Initially, Karnataka provided 2,500 cusecs of water per day and the quantum was increased to 3,000 cusecs per day.

(Dr Mysi Patil, State Correspondent)