KURNOOL: Tension prevailed once again at Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) across Tungabhadra river on Monday as farmers of Kurnool and Mahabubnagar assembled in strength to have the best bargain over the sharing of water in the river.

As per the orders of the Government, the three hume pipes each with a discharge capacity of 150 cusecs have to be closed. Farmers of Kurnool were resisting closure of the pipes on the ground that it would deprive them of water to their lift irrigation schemes downstream.

Farmers adamant

Kurnool Collector Dana Kishore and SP B. Mallareddy were present at the RDS anicut to convince farmers and enforce the closure orders of the Government, but the farmers did not heed them. On the other hand, the farmers of Mahabubnagar and officials of RDS gathered on the left bank side for closure. As the situation turned tense, the officials withdrew for deliberations.The farmers of Mahabubnagar under RDS anicut were demanding closure of construction sluices in the anicut that discharged some 450 cusecs into the river. Closure of the vents located in the anicut at 1,072 ft level would ensure flow to the RDS canal, sill level of which exists at 1082 ft, they argued.

The hume pipes which are located 10 ft below the level of the river sluice or head regulator of the RDS canal is the crux of the problem. Interestingly, the problem crops up only when there is lean flow in the river - below 500 cusecs.

If the pipes are kept open, the entire river flow passes through the pipes depriving the RDS canal of its share of water. If the pipes are closed, the entire flow is likely to be diverted to the RDS.

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