Sat Apr 05 10:28:11 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Releases Water to Drought-Stricken Farmers After Legal Battle

**Yadgir, Karnataka, April 5, 2025** – Water has been released from the Basavasagar reservoir in Yadgir district, providing much-needed relief to farmers facing drought conditions. The Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited (KBJNL) began releasing 2.40 tmcft of water to Narayanapur’s Right and Left Branch Canals, and the Rampur Lift Irrigation Canal, starting at midnight on April 4th. This follows weeks of protests and legal action.

Farmers, along with pro-Kannada groups, Dalit organizations, and BJP activists, had staged demonstrations after water release was halted on March 25th. Former MLA Narasimha Nayak led these protests, even meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and approaching the Karnataka High Court’s Kalaburagi bench. The court initially ordered the water release, but this order was temporarily stayed by a division bench until April 9th after the government appealed, citing misinformation provided to the court.

Minister Sharanabasappa Darshanapur criticized Nayak indirectly for the legal challenge, assuring farmers that the government supports them and urging responsible water usage. Prior to the water release, tensions ran high, with Nayak threatening to hold the government accountable for any farmer unrest. The water release, however, has brought temporary respite, offering hope for the survival of standing crops in the affected region.

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