Samba wilts as Karnataka refuses to release water

While the quantity of water in the final verdict of 192 TMC itself has been claimed to be inadequate, the Karnataka government approached the apex court again and ‘stressed’ that they could share only 102 TMC and not even a single drop beyond that. 

By this, Karnataka has directly threatened the Tamil Nadu farmers, who have been suffering due to water scarcity. Though there is a claim that Karnataka has given 112 TMC till date in 2017-18, the neighbouring state had not released from the Krishnasagar reservoir. It has just let the excess water received through heavy downpour in the catchment areas.

In 2016-17, Karnataka shared the least amount of water of 60.09 TMC, according to the data. “This is the least quantity in the past 25 years that Tamil Nadu got water from Karnataka,” said, P Maniarasan, Coordinator, Cauvery River Retrieval Committee While in 2013-14 and 2014-15, the state received 226.57 TMC and 199.16 TMC respectively and this was due to heavy rain. This prompted Karnataka to construct a dam across the Mekadatu. Subsequently, Karnataka has been firm not to exceed the 112 TMC limit and this led the Cauvery Delta farmers to quit Kuruvai cultivation. “For the past six years, we have quit Kuruvai as Karnataka was particular in reducing the quantity of water ordered in the final verdict,” Maniarasan said.

Delta farmers, who have taken up samba cultivation expecting water from Karnataka were waiting with their fingers crossed as the crops in most areas have started to wilt as the sowing was delayed due to less storage in Mettur dam.

Senior farmers said that the average water inflow was 368 TMC a year in the 50 years from 1934 to 1974. But, Karnataka established a series of waterbodies and started storing Cauvery water. Especially for the past three years, the state farmers were left in lurch by Karnataka which released 99, 60 and 112 TMC harshly hitting the water table levels.