Karnataka - Mysore   

Water to be released into canals for irrigation from July

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, JUNE 22. The Cauvery Command Area Development Authority (CADA) has decided to release water into the canals from the reservoirs for irrigation from July.

Water will be released into the Kabini right bank canals — Hulahalli and Ramapura canals — from July 5 and into the Nugu canal network and the Kabini left bank canal from July 15.

Meanwhile, the Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) of the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) is expected to meet soon to evolve a schedule for releasing water into the canals for irrigation. Likewise, the ICC meeting of the Harangi and Hemavathi is likely to be convened by the end of June to decide the quantum of water to be released into the canals. Sources said it was likely that the water would be released into the canals in the Cauvery basin from the first week of July.

The decision to release water into the canals follows a good spell of pre-monsoon shower which facilitated sowing in summer. Now that the Kabini Reservoir is full and water level at the KRS has crossed the 100-ft mark, the authorities have decided to take stock of the situation and release water for irrigation in July. In contrast, the authorities could release water only during August the previous year given the drought and the near-empty reservoir.

The Kabini right bank canals comprising Hulahalli and Rampura canals help irrigate agricultural tracts in Yellandur, Kollegal, Chamarajanagar, T. Narsipura, Nanjangud, and H.D. Kote spread across Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts. Water from the Kabini helps irrigate approximately 43,000 hectares in the region.

Meanwhile, farmers in the Kabini command area have welcomed the decision of the authorities to release water on time. Kurubur Shantakumar, president of the Kabini Raitha Hitarakshana Samithi, said the rural economy was in tatters due to drought since the past three years and farmers were in dire straits. But good rain this year and the timely release of water for irrigation would help them tide over the difficulties, he added.

However, CADA has urged the farmers to use water judiciously. Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Ltd. has also taken up programmes to popularise drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation and to stress the need for farmers to switch over to alternative crops in times of distress to minimise the use of water.

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