Bengaluru: Holding out hope for the state in its war with Tamil Nadu over Cauvery water, at least one member of the Central team studying the ground reality in the river basin and delta feels the water crisis is less severe in the neighbouring state than it is in Karnataka.
Speaking to the Deccan Chronicle, the member who preferred not to be identified, said while farmers in the Cauvery delta in Tamil Nadu were short of water, the plight of farmers in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka seemed worse. “Karnataka has no water due to the failure of the South West Monsoon and this situation is unlikely to change because it is not due for any more rain. But Tamil Nadu’s prospects are bright on this count,” he explained.
Moreover, the water level in the Amravathi, Bhavani and Mettur reservoirs of Tamil Nadu provided some hope for its farmers, according to him. “Besides the North East Monsoon, Tamil Nadu will also get water in the natural flow from the Krishna Raja Sagar dam and Biligundlu.
This along with the water stored in its three reservoirs are likely to bail out its farmers, particularly as the forecast for the N.E. monsoon is that it will set in anytime and is likely to be normal,” he reasoned, adding that to assess the immediate needs of each state, the team would also take into account its ground water availability, reservoir levels and the natural flow of the Cauvery river. The Central team is likely to submit its report to the Supreme Court on or before October 17.
