Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Tungabhadra Canals Get Water for 90 Days Amid Tight Storage
The Tungabhadra reservoir is a big lake that stores water for farming in Karnataka.
Right now it has 82 TMC units of water, which is less than usual.
Some of that water has to be saved for people to drink.
Farmers wanted water to flow to their fields for 120 days.
The people in charge said they can only promise 90 days for now.
They did this so there is enough water for everyone.
Some water will flow to the main canal, and other canals will get smaller amounts.
There will be another meeting in September to check how much rain has fallen.
If more rain comes, farmers may get water for a longer time.
The decision was made together with leaders from the farming areas.
The Irrigation Consultative Committee approved a 90-day water release to the Tungabhadra project's canals instead of the 120 days farmers sought.
The reservoir holds 82 TMC of water, with 10 TMC reserved for drinking water and 16 TMC extra needed for a 120-day canal supply.
The Tungabhadra Left Bank Main Canal will get 4,100 cusecs daily, while right bank canals get 1,200 and 650 cusecs, from August 11 to November 10.
A review meeting on September 10 will decide on extending releases, based on rainfall and reservoir inflows.
Farmers, Minister B Nagendra, and MLAs JN Ganesh and BM Nagaraj had pressed for at least 120 days of water supply.
- Who
- Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi chaired the 126th Irrigation Consultative Committee meeting; farmers, Minister B Nagendra, and MLAs JN Ganesh and BM Nagaraj sought a longer release.
- What
- The committee approved a 90-day release of water to the Tungabhadra project's canals, with a review on September 10 to consider extending it.
- When
- Releases run from August 11 to November 10; the review meeting is set for September 10.
- Where
- Tungabhadra reservoir and its canal network in Karnataka, with the committee meeting held at Munirabad (Koppal).
- Why
- The committee balanced limited reservoir storage (82 TMC) and drinking water needs against farmers' demand for a longer irrigation window.
Farmers and local representatives
Irrigation authorities
Length of canal water supply
Farmers and local representatives
Farmers, farmer leaders, ministers and MLAs from Koppal, Raichur and Vijayanagara pressed for a 120-day release to meet crop needs.
Irrigation authorities
The committee approved 90 days, citing only 82 TMC available, 10 TMC reserved for drinking water, and 16 TMC extra needed for 120 days.
Timing of water release
Farmers and local representatives
MLAs urged the authorities to release water without delay to help farmers.
Irrigation authorities
The committee set a staggered schedule starting August 11, with supplies tied to water availability and a review meeting on September 10.
- Reservoir storage
- 82 TMC available; 10 TMC reserved for drinking water
- Approved release
- 90 days (August 11 - November 10)
- Left Bank Main Canal
- 4,100 cusecs per day
- Right Bank Upper Level Canal
- 1,200 cusecs per day
- Right Bank Lower Level Canal
- 650 cusecs per day
- Water needed for 120-day supply
- 16 TMC additional
- Next review meeting
- September 10