Farmers and activists urge release of Bhadra water to save plantations

Farmers and an environmental activist group have asked Karnataka chief minister D.K. Shivakumar to release water from the Bhadra reservoir to safeguard their plantation crops. In a press briefing in Shivamogga on Saturday, the state president of the farmers' union, H.R. Basavarajappa, reported that the reservoir currently contains 55.734 tmcft of water. After accounting for dead storage, 33 tmcft is available for irrigation and another 7 tmcft is earmarked for drinking supplies. Basavarajappa said the water could be let out through the Left Bank, Right Bank and Gondi canals, covering the entire command area. He urged the government to ensure a steady flow for at least 100 days during the upcoming summer to protect the crops. He added that many growers have stopped planting paddy after the state announced it could not guarantee water for the kharif season because of the ongoing drought. The spokesperson warned that a large‑scale protest could erupt if the demand is ignored. He appealed to the chief minister to act quickly, noting that the drought has left farmers scrambling to keep their plantations alive.

Context

Drought conditions have lowered water levels across Karnataka, prompting several farmer groups to seek emergency releases from reservoirs. The Bhadra reservoir supplies irrigation to a wide region, and its water management decisions affect both agriculture and drinking needs.