Thousands of paddy farmers in Karnataka's Tungabhadra command area are staring at potential crop failure as ongoing installation of new crest gates at the historic dam has disrupted the crucial water release schedule for the rabi season.
Critical Irrigation Timeline Missed
The Tungabhadra Dam Board has confirmed that water release for the rabi season, which typically begins by November 1st, has been significantly delayed due to the ongoing installation of 26 new crest gates. This delay has created an agricultural emergency across multiple districts dependent on the dam's irrigation network.
Farmers in Koppal, Ballari, and parts of Vijayanagara districts are particularly vulnerable as they rely entirely on Tungabhadra waters for their paddy cultivation during the rabi season. The traditional planting window, which closes by mid-November, has already passed without the essential water supply.
Dam Modernization Versus Farmer Needs
The installation of new crest gates, part of a ₹130-crore modernization project, has created an unavoidable conflict between infrastructure improvement and agricultural necessities. While the dam authorities acknowledge the farmers' plight, they cite technical constraints that prevent water release during the gate replacement process.
"We understand the farmers' anxiety, but the ongoing work makes it impossible to release water for irrigation," stated a senior official from the Tungabhadra Dam Board. The project involves replacing aging gates that have been in service since the dam's completion in 1953.
Economic Impact and Farmer Distress
The potential crop loss threatens to create severe economic hardship for the agricultural community. Paddy cultivation during the rabi season represents a significant portion of annual income for many farming families in the region.
Local farmer associations have begun protesting the situation, demanding immediate intervention from the state government. "The delay in water release has put our entire investment at risk," explained a representative from the Tungabhadra Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti. "We need either water or compensation for our losses."
Agricultural experts warn that even if water becomes available in the coming weeks, it might be too late for optimal paddy cultivation. The crop requires specific temperature and moisture conditions during its growth stages, which the delayed planting may disrupt.
Searching for Solutions
Authorities are exploring alternative arrangements, including the possibility of coordinating with neighboring reservoirs and optimizing whatever limited water resources might be available. However, the scale of irrigation required makes these alternatives insufficient to meet the full demand.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing infrastructure maintenance with agricultural needs in water-scarce regions. As climate patterns become increasingly unpredictable, such conflicts between development projects and farming requirements may become more frequent.
Stakeholders from agricultural departments, water resources management, and farmer representatives are expected to meet urgently to address the crisis and explore damage mitigation strategies for the affected farming communities.
