Bengaluru: The state government is expected to issue an order to use the Cauvery water for drinking purpose only since the Cauvery basin areas received scanty rainfall, according to Minister for Irrigation M.B. Patil.
Speaking with media persons here on Monday, Minister Patil said the rainfall has been scanty this year thus no reservoir in Cauvery basin areas has received sufficient water as expected till now.
“We want to give priority for drinking water. We want to use water in the reservoirs for drinking purpose only. If the need arises, we will issue an order to use water for drinking purpose only,’’ the minister said.
As of now, there is 26 TMC of water in reservoirs of Cauvery basin as against 57 TMC of water in the corresponding period last year. It is said to be the lowest water level in 40 years.
He said the government has not thought of issuing such order till date because more rain is expected in the coming days. “We will wait for some more days. We are optimistic about receiving normal rainfall in the near future. If the situation demands, we will arrange a meeting with the officials concerned to reserve water in the reservoirs for drinking purpose,’’ he said.
To a query on the cloud seeding, the minister said H.K. Patil, minister for rural development would supervise the process since he is an expert in this field. “We will provide sufficient funds for this purpose. Cloud seeding should be taken up when the sky is cloudy,’’ the minister said.
On Mahadayi river water issue, the minister said the state government would respond as soon as Goa is ready for talks on sharing Mahadayi river water. “There will be no delay on our part. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and I will hold the talks with Goa government,’’ he said.
Patil said the chief minister has already written letters to Maharashtra and Goa chief ministers on Mahadayi river dispute. “Our chief secretary has also written letters to the chief secretaries of respective states,’’ he said.
