Karnataka staring at water crisis, CM tells PM

 Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the looming water crisis in the state due to the deficit monsoon rains.

In a letter to Modi, Siddaramaiah explained with statistics how the state would face problems in the coming days. Water level in major reservoirs is low due to deficit rains in the catchment areas of the Cauvery and the Krishna rivers. The monsoon forecast for the Cauvery and the Krishna catchment areas is not very encouraging for the months of August and September, he added.

Water shortage is likely to affect the drinking water availability in Bengaluru city. The state is facing an overall deficit of 10% in the monsoon rains (between June 1 and August 5 this year), compared to last year. The water level in major hydel reservoirs is only 46% of their gross storage capacity. The low water level has also impacted the agriculture operation under the command area, Siddaramaiah said.

“My government is closely monitoring the situation and our Cabinet has taken decision not to allow any further releases for irrigation purpose, except in exceptional cases and subject to availability and, utilise the existing water only for drinking purpose...Since there is a general perception that the south-west monsoon has been almost normal in Karnataka, I thought it necessary to bring the above facts to your attention (sic),” the Chief Minister mentioned.