Karnataka has 14 major reservoirs whose total capacity is 895.62 tmc of water.
Credit: DH File Photo
Bengaluru: Anticipating a harsh summer, the Cabinet decided on Thursday that a committee under the chief secretary would take over the operation of major reservoirs between April 1 and June 30 to ensure drinking water availability for citizens and animals.
"To manage drinking water and address problems that come with summer, we're appointing a committee under the chief secretary. This will have all reservoir officials and technical persons. This committee will decide on the release of water from dams," Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said, briefing reporters.
Karnataka has 14 major reservoirs whose total capacity is 895.62 tmc of water. As on March 24, the reservoirs held 400.52 tmc, which is 45% of the total capacity, according to the disaster management wing of the revenue department.
Water storage during the same period last year, which was a drought year, was significantly lower at 271.99 tmc (30%).
The revenue department noted that the IMD has not yet provided a monsoon forecast and inflows into reservoirs are declining.
"In view of the current declining inflows into reservoirs, instructions have been given to all regional commissioners to systematically reserve and use water for drinking water purposes on a priority basis in order to avoid shortage of drinking water in the coming days," the department said.
"However, some of the regional commissioners are absenting themselves from crucial irrigation coordination committee (ICC) meetings or are not able to take effective decisions," the revenue department said. "It has also come to the notice of the (water resources department) that decisions on water are being taken for purposes other than drinking."
Drinking water diversion
The Cabinet sub-committee on disaster management has observed that "scarce water" is being released for non-drinking purposes.
In the ICC meeting for the Tungabhadra dam held on March 21, a decision was taken to "divert" two tmc of water, reserved for drinking, towards irrigation. "This is contrary to the objective of ensuring drinking water to the districts under the dam's coverage," the department said.