Karnataka may release water to TN shortly

 Following the recent spate of heavy rains in the reservoir catchments, the water level in KRS dam has surged to a comfortable level. Reports are also doing the rounds that the Karnataka government may soon open the reservoir to Tamil Nadu.

 However, an official at Mettur dam said that that there has been no official confirmation on the water release. “So far, we haven’t received any communication on water release,” he said. However, he did not rule out the event of release of water, claiming, “There is a possibility for a communication in this regard anytime.”

As on Tuesday, the water level in the dam lingered around 40.84 feet as against its full capacity of 120 feet. The inflow into the dam remains a meagre 229 cusecs; however, the release of water is 2000 cusecs.

Farmers in delta districts are disappointed as water was not released from the reservoir on the customary date of June 12 this year too. The dam was last opened on the exact date in 2011. Thereafter, over the last eight consecutive years, the dam missed its customary date reportedly due to poor storage level. Last year, the dam was opened, after a delay by over a month on July 19. Karnataka also failed to honour the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s order to release water to Tamil Nadu.