BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has announced that 2tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water will be released from Bhadra reservoir into Tungabhadra canal helping crops and ensuring drinking water in Koppal, Raichur and Yadgir districts of Kalyana-Karnataka region.
The water will be released in the April 1-5 window.
As of March 30, Bhadra reservoir had 28tmcft of water. Of this, 11tmc is required for irrigation until May 8, and 14tmc is allocated for drinking water needs, while 3tmc must be reserved in the reservoir.
From April 6 onwards, the canals will be used exclusively for supplying drinking water. The state govt is committed to ensuring both irrigation for farmers and drinking water for the people, Siddaramaiah said.
Bhadra water to help Koppal farmers
Chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh has instructed the additional chief secretary (water resources) on the decision. According to engineers, at least3.5tmcft of water must be maintained in Tungabhadra reservoir for drinking purpose.
Considering the irrigation requirements of farmers in Koppal, the govt has decided to release water from Bhadra.