Reservoirs full as Malnad region continues to receive heavy rain

Shivamogga

The heavy rains in the Malnad region have increased the inflow into reservoirs, forcing the dam authorities to release excess water. On Tuesday, officials of Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), opened the crest gates of the Linganmakki Dam, one of the major dams in the State built across Sharavathi river in Sagar taluk, to release excess water.

After offering prayers, KPCL officials, who manage the reservoir and dam, began opening the gates around 10 a.m. All 11 gates have been opened.

The dam authorities are discharging 15,000 cusecs of water, as the water level in the reservoir increased with an increase in the inflow. As of Tuesday morning, the water level stood at 1,816.2 feet against the full reservoir level of 1,819 feet

Many residents of neighbouring villages gathered at the dam to see the breathtaking view of water gushing out of the gates. The dam has a capacity to store 151.64 tmcft of water. As of August 19, the live capacity was 142.33 tmcft (93.87%). With the release of water from the dam, the Jog Falls is expected to gain vigour.

Other reservoirs

The inflow into the Tunga reservoir at Gajanur has been increasing due to the heavy rains in the catchment areas spread over Sringeri and Tirthahalli taluks. As of Tuesday morning, the inflow was 75,796 cusecs. The dam authorities have opened the gates to release the excess water. As a result, the river has swollen. Many people in Shivamogga city are enjoying the view of the river from the bridge across the river and the riverfront area, developed by the Shivamogga City Corporation.

Officials of the Bhadra Dam at Lakkavalli in Tarikere taluk of Chikkamagaluru have been discharging excess water through crest gates as the water level reached the maximum level. The inflow was 34,742 cusecs as of Tuesday morning. The outflow was 39,342 cusecs.

Similarly in Hassan, the dam constructed across Hemavathi river at Goruru is almost full. The water level stood at 2,921.35 ft against the full reservoir level of 2,922 ft. The inflow on the day was 30,254 cusecs due to the heavy rains in the catchment area spread over Sakaleshpur and Mudigere taluks. The outflow was 36,350 cusecs.