Water release from Ujani dam in Maharashtra prompts official advisory in Kalaburagi

The authorities concerned have released 44,000 cusecs of water from the Ujani dam in Maharashtra into the Bhima river course prompting the Kalaburagi district administration to issue an advisory urging people to stay away from the riverbanks.

According to Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzia Taranum, the water released is expected to reach the Sonna barrage in Afzalpur taluk late on Sunday.

Additional releases from Ujani and Veer reservoirs may further increase the outflow via the Sonna barrage into the Bhima river course and via the Bennethora barrage into the downstream areas.

Currently, 4,000 cusecs of water have already been discharged from the Sonna barrage. With more rainfall forecast in the catchment areas and the increased outflows from the reservoirs in Maharashtra, the outflow is expected to rise further.

Ms. Taranum has appealed to residents of low-lying villages near the Bhima river course, Sonna and Bennethora barrages to remain alert.

She has also instructed the public not to wash clothes, bathe, graze cattle or cross vulnerable bridges near rivers, streams and tanks.

Tourists have been advised against venturing into riverbanks or attempting selfies and swimming in flooded areas. Fishermen have been strictly asked not to approach rivers for fishing.

The Deputy Commissioner has directed officials to assess the safety of houses, school buildings, anganwadis and other vulnerable public structures in view of continuous rainfall.

Awareness must be raised in all flood-prone villages through loudspeaker announcements and public outreach. Temples, mosques and other religious centres situated on riverbanks must be kept clear of devotees, she said.

She further directed officers at the district, taluk, hobli and gram panchayat levels to remain in their respective headquarters and take necessary precautionary measures to avoid untoward incidents during heavy rain or the consequent flooding.

“If evacuation becomes necessary, residents in low-lying areas in both rural and urban parts of the district must be shifted to safer locations and all basic facilities must be ensured at the relief centres. Revenue officials must submit preliminary damage assessment reports to the district administration on a daily basis,” she told them.