The Water Resources Department (WRD) has announced a delay in releasing irrigation water through the Kalingarayan canal system and the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal system. This decision is due to the critically low storage levels in the Lower Bhavani Dam and insufficient inflows from the catchment areas. Water will only be released for irrigation once reservoir inflows stabilize, as the current storage is being conserved for drinking water needs.
The delay has raised concerns among farmers relying on these irrigation systems. Competing demands over the limited water available in the reservoir have led to tensions among farmer groups. Some farmers under the Kalingarayan canal system have planned an indefinite hunger strike starting July 6 if irrigation water is not released by July 5. They highlight the impact of the water supply suspension on crops like banana, sugarcane, turmeric, and onion cultivation.
The Kalingarayan canal typically receives water from the Lower Bhavani Dam from mid-June to the end of April. However, water release was halted in March for canal renovation. Despite plans to resume supply by the end of June after maintenance, the worsening water situation has forced an indefinite postponement. As of Tuesday, the Lower Bhavani Dam, with a full capacity of 32.8 tmcft, only holds 5.34 tmcft of water, with minimal inflow due to poor rainfall in the catchment areas.
Farmers under the Lower Bhavani Project canal system have opposed diverting water through the Kalingarayan canal, insisting on adhering to existing Cauvery water allocations and government orders. They have threatened protests, including road blockades, if water is redirected under the current circumstances. WRD officials emphasize that the current storage is adequate only for drinking water purposes and that irrigation releases cannot be considered until there is a substantial increase in inflows.
The department estimates that a sustained inflow of 5,000 to 6,000 cusecs is necessary before releasing water for either the Kalingarayan or LBP canal systems. Officials note that the renovation of the Kalingarayan canal is almost finished, allowing immediate water release once reservoir conditions improve.
