Drought forces tighter water release schedule for Tungabhadra canals

The Irrigation Consultative Committee approved a revised water release timetable for the Tungabhadra Project and the Vijayanagara canal network, citing the ongoing drought. The new plan sets the Tungabhadra Left Bank Main Canal to receive 3,800 cusecs of water until 20 November, with 200 cusecs from each division set aside for the Ganekal Reservoir. The Right Bank High‑Level Canal, which had been getting 1,000 cusecs from 21 to 24 October, will see its supply halted until 31 October and then restart on 1 November at 1,280 cusecs for up to 20 days or until water runs out. The Right Bank Low‑Level Canal is allotted 650 cusecs, also lasting until 20 November or until the flow is exhausted. The Raya Basavanna Canal will get 180 cusecs through 31 May 2027, with a ten‑day on, ten‑day off rotation each month, depending on availability. The Vijayanagara Left Bank Canals are assigned 60 cusecs until 10 May 2027, subject to water supply and may stop earlier. The schedule was adopted at the committee’s 127th meeting on 19 October at Vikas Soudha in Bengaluru, attended by the Speaker, ministers, legislators, MPs, regional and deputy commissioners, irrigation and agriculture officials and farmers. The plan reserves water for tank filling to meet drinking needs and for farming, and releases will follow the set periods and availability. Superintending Engineer S.B. Malligawad, member‑secretary of the committee, issued the statement and asked farmers to cooperate with the new arrangement.

Context

The adjustments reflect a broader effort to balance limited water supplies with essential domestic and agricultural demand during a severe dry spell.