Krishna water levels decreasing as Maharashtra reduces release

Water levels in the Krishna and its tributaries reduced following lower water discharge from Maharashtra on Thursday.

The total discharge from Maharahstra, measured at the inter-State border at Kallol barrage, was 1,21,281 cusecs, 5,125 cusecs lesser than Wednesday.

The inflow and outflow at Hipparagi barrage stood at 1,26,500 cusecs. There was no compounding of water due to high levels of water in the river course.

In the Lal Bahadur Shastri reservoir on the Krishna in Almatti, the inflow was 1,57,170 cusecs and outflow 1,40,550 cusecs.

The outflow can be reduced if the water release continues to be lower, officials said. The dam now has 98.436 tmcft of water or 79.97% of the full capacity.

The Basava Sagar dam in Narayanpur recorded an inflow of 1.35 lakh cusecs and and an outflow of 1.08 lakh cusecs. The storage in the dam stood at 29.278 tmcft or 87.89% of the full capacity.

The Renuka Sagar dam on the Malaprabha recorded an inflow of 6,844 cusecs and an outflow of 4,394 cusecs. The dam is nearly full with 28.3 tmcft of water, as against the full level of 37.73 tmcft.

The Raja Lakhamagouda reservoir on the Ghataprabha in Hidkal recorded an inflow of 9,441 cusecs and an outflow of 11,902 cusecs. The dam has 47.2 tmcft of water against the full capacity of 51 tmcft.

Flood warning

Meanwhile, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) on Thursday issued a flood warning to areas downstream of the Supa Dam near Dandeli in Uttara Kannada and along the Kali basin which is a part of Phase 1 of the Kali River Project.

“Due to the relentless rainfall in the catchment areas of the Supa Dam, there has been a substantial increase in inflow of water at the reservoir, leading to a rapid increase in the water level. As a result, people residing in the downstream areas of the dam and along the river basin are requested to move to safer locations along with their belongings and livestock,” KPCL said in a statement.

The corporation also advised against boating, fishing and other activities in the river downstream of the dam until the end of the monsoon season.

“The maximum level of the reservoir is 564 m, with a total storage capacity of 147.55 tmcft. Currently, the water level stands at 550.75 m, with 96.245 tmcft of water stored, which is 65.23% of the reservoir’s total capacity. The present inflow is 13,481 cusecs and if this rate continues, the reservoir may reach its maximum level,” the statement said.