281 brimming water bodies in CB'Pur usher hope among farmers

A district that has been notorious for drought and dried up water bodies for the last several years, is suddenly witnessing bountiful rainfall this monsoon.

The Rain God has been benevolent and has been showering rainfall in abundance. And the best part of the copious rainfall is at least 281 water bodies among the total 1,603 in the district are brimming. The farmers are a happy lot with most of the crops lush with green.

Just when the farmers were ready to gamble with the monsoon this year, the district received satisfying rainfall in August and September. The district was supposed to receive 80.2 mm of rainfall by October 12, and as per the records, it has received 222.5 mm of rainfall. Thus, it has received 177 mm of additional rainfall, that is 33 percent extra. Last year around this time, only 6 per cent of increase in the rainfall had been recorded.

However, October is very significant with the district receiving copious rainfall almost every day in part or the other region. Presently, 281 water bodies have filled up and 353 water bodies are yet to fill. In 284 tanks, more than 50 per cent of water bodies has been filled up.

After 19 years, Jakkalamadugu reservoir in the district is brimming bringing cheers to the citizens. The Vandaman and Chitravathi dams which are dependent on the Jakkalamadugu reservoir will be a lifeline of the residents from hundreds of villages. The filled-up dams have ushered in a new hope of life among the people here.

Under the Zilla Panchayat, 1,402 water bodies and 201 water bodies under the Small Irrigation Department, thus, there are a total of 1,620 water bodies. If the district is blessed with some more rain, more than 650 water bodies will also be filled. At least 138 water bodies in Bagepalli taluk, which lies in the border region and also bags the title of being the most backward area, have been filled. In Chikkaballapur, the lowest number of water bodies, that is, only 7 have been filled.

Naremaddipalli, Agatamadaka Doddakere, Vandaman Hosakere, Paragodu Mangasandra Kere, Pathapalya Kadirammana Kere, Achepalli Doddakere, Mallasandra Rajavari Kere, Mittemari Poovadammana Kere, Dadam Kere in Bagepalli taluk have filled.

At least 49 water bodies, including Talakayala Betta Venkatesha Sagara Kere, Reddy Kere and Bhairasagara Kere in Shidlaghatta taluk have filled. Kamareddyhalli, Manchenahalli, Guyyalahalli, Dandiganahalli, Thippaganahalli, Chikkahosahalli, Hosakote Doddakere, Venkatapura Ayyamanakere, B Bommasandra Nayakaralu Kere, B Bommasandra Ramapada Kere, Basavanahalli, Nagabhavi Kere, Muddalodu Hosakere, have brought cheers to the farmers.

As many as 32 tanks, apart from the prominent Kannampalli Kere, in Chintamani taluk, has filled up. Among all taluks in Chikkaballapur district, Chintamani taluk boasts the highest number of 565 water bodies.

At least 19 ponds in Gudibande taluk, including Thirumani Kere, Amani Bhairasagara, Hampsandra Hosakere, have filled up.

At least 7 tanks in Chikkaballapur taluk, including Jathavaara, Hosahudya, Chikkapailagurki and Yadarlahalli Kere have breached.

The farmers are hopeful of a bumper yield and wish that the rains continue to fill up more tanks and lakes.