Farmers demand release of water from Bhadra Dam to save plantation crops

During a press conference held in Shivamogga, Karnataka, on Saturday, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Green Brigade appealed to the state Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to release water from the Bhadra reservoir to save plantation crops.

According to a report by The Hindu, the state president of the Sangha, H.R. Basavarajappa, stated that currently 55.734 tmcft of water is available in the reservoir. He explained in detail that after setting aside 7 tmcft of water reserved for dead storage and drinking water, 33 tmcft of water can be utilised for irrigation.

Basavarajappa demanded that this available water be released through the Left Bank, Right Bank, and Gondi canals so that farmers in the command area can benefit. He added that in drought conditions, farmers are struggling hard to save their crops, and if water is released now, it will provide them great relief.

In addition, he demanded that the government provide water supply for 100 days during the upcoming summer to protect crops. He noted that the state government had expressed its inability to provide water during the Kharif season due to drought, which led farmers to abandon paddy cultivation.

The farmers' representative emphatically stated that the government must now come to their aid. He also warned that if these demands are not met, farmers will launch large-scale agitations.