BENGALURU, 14 NOV

Water release schedule for various canals under the Tungabhadra project was finalised for the 2025-26 Rabi season at the 125th meeting of the Tungabhadra Irrigation Consultative Committee at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday.

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, reviewed water availability in the Tungabhadra Reservoir and discussed supply constraints arising from the ongoing installation of crest gates, in case the water level reaches 1,613 ft.

The Irrigation Consultative Committee resolved to release water primarily for standing crops and essential uses, including drinking needs, during summer.

Water will be released into the Tungabhadra Left Bank Main Canal from 1 December to 10 January, at a rate of 3,000 cusecs for standing crops.

The Vijayanagar Left Bank Canal will receive water from 1 January to 10 May, at 150 cusecs, covering distributary canals 1 to 11.

The Tungabhadra Right Bank High Level Canal and the Tungabhadra Right Bank Low Level Canal will get water at 1,300 cusecs and 750 cusecs, respectively.

The Raya Basavanna canal will get 250 cusecs from 1 January to 31 May, 2026 or until water remains available.

150 cusecs will also be made available to the river-supplemented areas.

The committee also approved the release of water into the Left Bank High Level Canal at 25 cusecs until the reservoir level falls to 1,585 ft.