Bengaluru: Faced with a choice between conserving water and saving crops, Karnataka govt has chosen the latter. Even as reservoir storage remains below the state’s projected annual requirement, it has decided to release irrigation water for Upper Krishna Project (UKP) command area in a bid to rescue the delayed kharif season, banking on a likely revival of southwest monsoon in the coming weeks.According to a communication issued by Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited (KBJNL), water from Almatti reservoir will be released into the canal network from July 28, prioritising the interests of lakhs of farmers despite concerns over dwindling storage. The decision was taken after reviewing water availability in Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs and the delayed progress of kharif sowing caused by deficient rainfall in June and July.The move also comes a week after a farmers’ delegation led by former minister Shivananda Patil urged govt to release irrigation water to protect standing crops and enable farmers to complete sowing.According to water resources department, inflows into Almatti reservoir began only on July 6, considerably later than usual. As of July 27, Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs together held a gross storage of 147.96 TMC and a live storage of 115.59 TMC.Dam water in Mys for only drinkingMysuru regional commissioner Nitesh Patil Monday issued an order reserving available water in 13 dams in Mysuru division only for drinking water purposes. The dams are KRS, Kabini, Harangi, Hemavathi, Bhadra, Nugu, Taraka, Suvarnavathi, Chiklihole, Gundal, Udutorehalla and Yagachi.“The two reservoirs require 66 TMC to meet irrigation demand during the 2026 monsoon season. Besides this, another 58 TMC will be needed to meet drinking water, industrial and other essential requirements until the end of June 2027, taking the total annual requirement to 124 TMC,” a senior irrigation engineer said.Despite live storage remaining below the projected annual requirement, the government has opted to begin water releases to safeguard farmers’ interests. Officials said they expect another 8.42 TMC of inflows into the Almatti reservoir over the coming days, which should improve the storage position.Will resort to rationing if monsoon faltersAuthorities said water will be supplied continuously through the canal network as long as inflows into the Almatti reservoir remain adequate. However, if the southwest monsoon weakens further and inflows decline, irrigation releases will revert to the existing rotational schedule of 14 days of water supply followed by a 10-day closure—a strategy adopted during water-stress years to conserve storage while ensuring equitable distribution across the command area.The government has also urged farmers to avoid water-intensive crops and instead cultivate varieties that require less irrigation. Farmers have been advised to use water judiciously to minimise wastage, while irrigation officials have been directed to spread awareness on efficient water management across the command area in view of the uncertain monsoon outlook.
