Cauvery Water Dispute: Outflow from KRS dam up amid Cauvery stir

Cauvery Water Dispute: Outflow from KRS dam up amid Cauvery stir

The outflow from the KRS dam in Karnataka has increased to 6,874 cusecs, up from 800-1,000 cusecs released on Saturday and Sunday. This comes as the state government is under pressure from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu every day till September 27.

The CWMA had directed Karnataka to release the water following Tamil Nadu’s complaint that the state was not complying with the Cauvery water sharing scheme. Karnataka has been reluctant to release the water, arguing that its own farmers need the water.

The increase in outflow from the KRS dam has led to protests from Kannada organisations, who are demanding that the state government stop releasing water to Tamil Nadu. They argue that Karnataka’s own farmers are suffering due to water shortage, and that the state should not be releasing water to another state.

The Karnataka government has said that it is complying with the CWMA’s directions, but that it is also working to protect the interests of its own farmers. The government has announced a number of measures to help farmers cope with the water shortage, including providing subsidies for water tankers and fodder.

The Cauvery water dispute is a long-standing one, and has often led to tensions between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The two states have been sharing the water of the Cauvery river since 1892, but there have been many disagreements over the years about how much water each state should receive.

In 2013, the Supreme Court set up the CWMA to oversee the sharing of Cauvery water between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. The CWMA’s decisions are binding on all four states.

The current Cauvery water dispute is likely to continue for some time, as both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are unwilling to compromise. The situation is being closely monitored by the central government, which is concerned about the potential for violence over the water issue.

The Cauvery water dispute has a significant impact on the farmers of Karnataka. The Cauvery river basin is a major agricultural region, and farmers rely on the river water to irrigate their crops. When there is a water shortage, farmers are forced to reduce the area they cultivate or switch to drought-resistant crops.

The water shortage also leads to an increase in the cost of irrigation, as farmers have to buy water from private tankers. This further reduces the farmers’ profits.

In addition, the Cauvery water dispute creates uncertainty for farmers. Farmers do not know how much water they will have available for irrigation each year. This makes it difficult for them to plan their crops and make investment decisions.

The Karnataka government has taken a number of measures to help farmers cope with the water shortage. These measures include providing subsidies for water tankers and fodder, and developing drought-resistant crop varieties. However, these measures have not been enough to fully protect farmers from the impact of the water shortage.

The Cauvery water dispute is a complex issue with no easy solutions. It is important to find a balance between the needs of farmers in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. However, it is also important to ensure that the water is shared equitably and that both states are able to sustainably manage their water resources.

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The central government has a role to play in resolving the Cauvery water dispute. The government can provide financial and technical assistance to both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to help them improve their water management systems. The government can also mediate between the two states to help them reach a compromise on water sharing.

The Cauvery water dispute is a reminder of the importance of water security. Water is a scarce resource, and it is important to use it wisely. We need to find ways to conserve water and share it equitably. Only then can we ensure that everyone has access to this essential resource.