PMK Leader Anbumani Ramadoss Warns of Water Crisis if Mekedatu Dam Built

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday said the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka poses a serious threat to Tamil Nadu's drinking water supply and irrigation, potentially affecting people across the state.

Addressing a gathering at Bhavani during his four-day padayatra against the project, Mr. Ramadoss argued that Tamil Nadu, being the tail-end riparian state, has greater rights over the Cauvery waters. He cited the 1892 and 1924 agreements between the erstwhile Madras Presidency and the princely state of Mysore, alleging that Karnataka has repeatedly violated water-sharing arrangements by constructing reservoirs without Tamil Nadu's consent.

According to Mr. Ramadoss, Karnataka's four Cauvery reservoirs have a combined storage capacity of about 115 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft), while the Mettur Dam's effective storage capacity has declined from 93 tmcft to around 80 tmcft due to siltation. He claimed the proposed 70-tmcft Mekedatu reservoir, located about 4 km from the Tamil Nadu border, would increase Karnataka's storage capacity to 185 tmcft—more than double Mettur's current capacity.

Questioning Karnataka's stance that the reservoir is intended to meet Bengaluru's drinking water needs, Mr. Ramadoss noted that the city requires only around 10 tmcft, while the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal had allocated 4.75 tmcft. 'If the project is only for drinking water, why should a 70-tmcft reservoir be constructed?' he asked.

Mr. Ramadoss also mentioned visiting Biligundlu on Wednesday and observing low flow in the Cauvery despite the onset of the southwest monsoon. He argued that if the Mekedatu project is implemented, the state would face shortages of drinking water and irrigation. He added that the delayed opening of the Mettur Dam this year reflects the state's dependence on upstream releases.

Stating that 28 districts depend on the Cauvery, Mr. Ramadoss said the issue concerns every resident of the state, not just farmers. He maintained that his campaign is aimed at safeguarding Tamil Nadu's water rights and is not politically motivated.

The Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has been a long-standing issue, with multiple legal and political battles over water sharing. The Mekedatu project, proposed by Karnataka, has been controversial, with Tamil Nadu opposing it on grounds that it would affect its legitimate share of water.