Latest news with #WaterResources
Shafaq News
8 hours ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq pressures Turkiye on water flow
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraq called on Turkiye to increase water releases into Iraq. According to a statement by the Iraqi embassy in Ankara, Ambassador Majid Al-Lajmawi met at the Iraqi embassy with the Turkish presidential envoy to Iraq, Faisal Eroglu. He stressed that water remains a critical aspect of Iraq-Turkiye relations and reiterated Baghdad's desire for a strategic and equitable partnership that safeguards the rights of both countries. Al-Lajmawi further outlined the Iraqi government's shift toward modern irrigation methods, improved resource management, and sustainable environmental practices. During the meeting, Iraqi Minister of Water Resources Aoun Dhiab held a phone call with Eroglu to address technical concerns and explore avenues for direct coordination. For his part, Eroglu expressed Turkiye's willingness to cooperate on all discussed matters, particularly water. The two officials also discussed bilateral cooperation, focusing on water issues and the status of Iraqis in Turkiye. Al-Lajmawi urged Turkiye to ease residency procedures and remove administrative barriers, especially for students and those with humanitarian or medical needs.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Almatti Dam height row: Maha CM's objection shocking, says Dy CM; urges K'taka MPs, Union Ministers to unite
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, has appealed to Union Ministers and Members of Parliament from the state to come together to protect the state's interests, following Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' objection to increasing the height of the Almatti Dam Dam. Addressing the media in Bengaluru on Monday, Deputy CM Shivakumar also stated that he would meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers to exert pressure on the issue. "As per the Krishna Tribunal's award, we need to increase the height of the Almatti Dam to 524 metres to utilise our state's share of water. It's deeply surprising that the Maharashtra Chief Minister, who remained silent when the tribunal's verdict was issued, has now suddenly written a letter to the Karnataka Chief Minister objecting to this," stated Dy CM Shivakumar. He added, "In this context, I humbly request all MPs and Union Ministers to cooperate in implementing the project and safeguarding the interests of the state and its farmers." "Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis wrote a letter to our CM Siddaramaiah on May 9. In the letter, he stated that increasing the dam's height would cause flooding in Maharashtra's Sangli and Kolhapur districts and requested a reconsideration of the decision," he stated. "This letter from the Maharashtra CM has shocked us. Previously, Maharashtra had never raised objections regarding this project. Maharashtra never questioned the 2010 verdict. Maharashtra had even submitted an affidavit supporting the implementation of this project. But now, they've suddenly written this letter," he said. "This project is a right we have received through the tribunal. Our CM will also write a letter within a day or two. I humbly request all MPs and Union Ministers elected from our state to cooperate with us on this matter," Shivakumar reiterated. "V. Somanna is part of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Almatti project is in our state's interest. We don't want conflicts with neighbouring states. The delay in this project is causing an excessive increase in project costs. Rs 1 lakh crore is needed for land acquisition for the project. This project is crucial for us to utilise our share of water," Shivakumar emphasised. "If they face floods in their state (Maharashtra), they should resolve it internally. We need to meet Union Ministers and the Prime Minister to exert pressure on this matter. We must speak with a united voice on this issue. We've been waiting for the Gazette notification for this project since 2013. How much longer should we wait?" he questioned. "Our government is ready to come wherever and whenever you call us to protect the interests of our farmers. We will send the letter from the Maharashtra CM and our CM's reply to all MPs. Regarding the project to raise the Almatti Dam to 524 metres to receive our share of water as per the tribunal's verdict, the Chief Minister and I had met with Union Ministers. We had requested them to convene a meeting and issue a notification," he said. "The Union Ministers considered our request and scheduled a date for the meeting. So, I called an internal meeting with ministers, legal experts, and MLAs from that region to seek their advice. Just as I was about to leave for the meeting, I received a message that it had been postponed. I assumed it might have been postponed due to a wartime atmosphere," he stated. When asked if there was politics behind the Maharashtra CM's letter, Shivakumar replied, "I will not comment on whether this matter is political or not. I will only speak about our state's interest. For us, the only important thing is the implementation of the project to use our rightful share of water. I will not politicise this issue. I appeal to everyone involved, including Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, to take your share of water and let us take our rightful share." When asked what scientific basis their objection had, he said, "Nothing. The verdict was given only after their objections were discussed in the tribunal. Now, only the Central Government's notification remains." The Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam, also known as Almatti Dam is a hydroelectric project on the Krishna River in Vijayapura district of north Karnataka. The full reservoir level of Almatti dam was originally restricted by the Supreme Court of India. The Krishna River conflict between Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra was resolved by the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal and the dam was authorised to be raised to the height of 524 metres. This increase in height would allow the dam to store nearly 200 TMC. The present height of the dam is 519.26 metres. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced that his government was committed to increasing the height of the Almatti dam from the present 519.6 metres to 524.26 metres to help complete the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP). CM Siddaramaiah had also stated that said there was a need to acquire 1,33,867 acres of land for the project, including land that would be submerged and land for rehabilitation and building canals. Of this, 28,967 acres had been acquired so far, he added.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Strains surface in Siddaramaiah–DK Shivakumar equation as Deputy CM objects to engineer transfers in Karnataka
The internal dynamics within Karnataka's Congress government appear to be shifting subtly, as Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday openly expressed displeasure over bureaucratic decisions taken without his nod — raising fresh questions about his equation with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Also Read - 'No apology, no release': Karnataka stands united against Kamal Haasan's Kannada comment Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, revealed that he has written to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, directing her not to transfer any engineers from his department without informing him. His remarks have come amid renewed buzz about a growing rift between the state's two most powerful Congress leaders — a claim both have denied multiple times in public. Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar emphasized the pressing need for engineers in the Water Resources Department, which he said is already facing a shortage. 'We don't have enough engineers in our department, and we require them urgently. That's why I have written to the Chief Secretary not to relieve or shift anyone without my prior consent,' he said. The Deputy CM went on to explain a recurring issue and said that engineers who join the irrigation department are often transferred out — sometimes promoted and moved to departments like Public Works and Zilla Panchayats — leaving critical roles vacant in his ministry. He subtly acknowledged that such transfers could be influenced from higher up. 'There is certainly scope for top-level interventions. I won't deny that. Many MLAs also push for engineers to be sent to other departments,' he noted. Also Read - DK Shivakumar inspects flood-hit Manyata Tech Park, orders demolition of structures blocking water flow Shivakumar appeared visibly upset that engineers were reluctant to work in the Water Resources Department. 'I've categorically told the Chief Secretary not to transfer anyone without discussing it with me first,' he asserted. In a strongly worded letter to the Chief Secretary, Shivakumar said that he had clearly informed the administration at the time of government formation that no appointments or transfers related to his department should be done without his explicit approval. Yet, he noted, some Chief Engineers were recently transferred to his department without his knowledge. 'I object to this clear disregard of my instruction,' the letter stated. He also demanded immediate withdrawal of such orders and reiterated the need for his prior approval in future decisions. While the Congress leadership has consistently maintained that Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are working in sync, the Deputy CM's sharp tone has revived speculation about internal frictions and one-upmanship within the government. Seizing the moment, BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra weighed in, suggesting that these signs point to a bigger political shake-up ahead. 'This is just the beginning. Clearly, a major political twist is on the horizon. These developments are the prelude to a bigger climax,' he said. Vijayendra also hinted at realignments within the Congress, drawing attention to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's unannounced visit to senior party leader and MLC B.K. Hariprasad's residence earlier in the day. 'The timing of these meetings is no coincidence. Equations are clearly changing,' he remarked.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Check dams, causeway across Kaundinya river in Vellore inaugurated
Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan inaugurated two check dams and a causeway with vents across Kaundinya river in Gudiyatham to prevent flooding during monsoon, and provide access to key towns. The Minister was accompanied by Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi, and senior officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD). 'The check dams will help irrigate at least 560 hectares of farmlands in the region. Moreover, local bodies can sink borewells along the facilities to draw water for consumption,' S. Kalipriyarn, Assistant Engineer, WRD (Gudiyatham), told The Hindu. Funded by NABARD under the Permanent Floods Restoration Scheme 2023-24, the check dams were built at a cost of ₹25 crore. Each 120-metre-long and 1.2-metre-tall facility has a capacity of 2.51 mcft (million cubic feet) and can discharge 53,000 cusecs of floodwater. They will help recharge at least 530 farmwells in the region. Around 10-12 farming villages will benefit as groundwater within a three-km radius from the facilities would increase. After a long struggle, residents in Gudiyatham and adjoining farming villages now have a causeway, built at a cost of ₹8.41 crore using funds from NABARD. It connects Thalayatham with Sunnabupettai village across the river. The causeway measures 104.2 metres in length and 2.7 metres in height (from the riverbed) with 10 vents. It can discharge 58,000 cusecs per minute of floodwater during monsoon. Officials said such high discharge of rainwater would prevent the facility from being flooded. 'Earlier, we had to take a detour of at least 20 km to reach Gudiyatham, Pernambut, and Pallikonda towns. School vans and ambulances had to navigate a long sandy route. The new bridge has ended our ordeal,' S. Pechiammal, a resident, said. A 500-metre-long tiled walking track was also inaugurated. It was built at a cost of ₹2.91 crore on the left bund of the river. Steel fencing has been erected to prevent accidents, officials say.
Iraqi News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
resources Ministry reveal the contents of its 5th BIWC from May 24 to 26
Baghdad-INA The Ministry of Water Resources revealed today, Friday, the details of its fifth Baghdad international water conference (BIWC) scheduled from May 24 to 26. "under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and under the supervision of Minister of Water Resources Aoun Diab Abdullah, the Ministry of Water Resources is organizing its5th BIWC, which will host the eleventh conference on precision irrigation of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage from May 24 to 26 of this year,' The ministry stated in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) . The head of the scientific and technical committee for the conference, Hatim Hamid Hussein, stated in the statement that "the conference witnesses wide participation from local and international political figures, international organizations, and civil society organizations, in addition to Iraqi ministries, experts, and academics in the fields of water resource management and climate change," indicating that "the conference aims to highlight the challenges facing the water sector and propose practical solutions to overcome it." He explained that "the ministry is set to launch the initiative 'Protection of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers' during the conference, in collaboration with government agencies, international organizations, and civil society organizations several memoranda of understanding will also be signed with local and international technical and scientific entities to implement strategic projects, he pointed out that "the conference will also address issues related to marshlands, and the role of women and youth in water resource management, in addition to holding specialized workshops with the participation of the Supreme Council for Youth and local and international research centers."
