Mandya: Leader of the opposition in the legislative council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, on Thursday accused the state govt of failing to address Karnataka’s worsening drought situation, alleging that while people and farmers are reeling under severe water scarcity, the CM is preoccupied with political engagements in Delhi.Speaking to reporters after leading a BJP drought assessment team to the historic Shimsha Hydroelectric Power Generation Station in Malavalli taluk, Narayanaswamy said the power station had completely ceased operations due to inadequate water availability.Describing the situation as unprecedented, he said that although Karnataka had experienced droughts in the past, this was the first time in the plant’s 145-year history that electricity generation had come to a complete halt because of water scarcity. He added that the findings of the drought assessment team, including the plight of farmers, the shutdown of hydropower generation, and the urgent need for drought relief and compensation, would be submitted to both the state and Union govts for immediate intervention.Referring to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directive to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Narayanaswamy maintained that Karnataka was in no position to comply, as the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) reservoir was facing critically low storage levels.He said the Cauvery River had virtually dried up in several stretches, hydropower stations had suspended operations, and standing crops in the command area were withering due to a lack of irrigation. The BJP leader urged the state govt to seek legal relief from the Supreme Court. He warned that releasing water to Tamil Nadu despite the prevailing drought conditions could trigger widespread protests by farmers in Mandya and neighbouring districts.
