CM's decision to supply water for irrigation in Mandya could lead to scarcity in Bengaluru, Mysuru

MANDYA: Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy’s decision to supply water from the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam to protect standing crops in Mandya — a promise made to farmers of the region during the heat of the Lok Sabha elections — could lead to drinking water scarcity in Mysuru and Bengaluru.

Water level in the KRS is fast depleting and although there is no cause for alarm yet, officials say there could be a major problem if the monsoon is delayed.

As on Thursday, water in the dam stood at 82.7ft with a meagre inflow of 154 cusecs against a maximum level of 124.8ft.

Cauvery Niravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) officials, who are responsible for maintaining and regulating flow of water from the dam, admitted that the chief minister’s promise has left them in a fix. Sources say irrigation authorities are unlikely to stop supply of water for standing crops as it could be seen as flouting Kumaraswamy’s decision.

“The water level this year is better than last year, but it is increasingly becoming hard for us to ration water for irrigation and drinking,” a senior official said. “Although the preference is for drinking purposes, we cannot stop supply of water for standing crops in the KRS reservoir’s achukat area.”

Another CNNL official said that if the monsoon is delayed by a few weeks, drinking water supply to cities and towns including Bengaluru and Mysuru would be badly affected.

“Stopping water for irrigation purposes is a political decision which is unlikely to be taken given the prevailing political situation in Mandya district,” the official said.