JOIN USWhile Chikkahole reservoir is short of nearly four feet, Suvarnavati has another 11 feet to reach the brim.
But, if the rain gods continue to smile this way on the district, within a week, both reservoirs will reach their limit soon, hope the farmers in the district. Both reservoirs are the lifeline of people in the area, since most agricultural activities are carried out using water from here and also the city gets its water share from the reservoirs.
Chikkahole reservoir is 2,474 ft in height and has received water that filled the
reservoir by about 9.6 ft in last one week alone. After Chikkahole reaches its limit, outflow is released into Suvarnavati reservoir.
Rest of the water is released into Bandigere canal which feeds ponds and lakes in the surrounding areas.
As of now, about 50 - 60 cusecs of water has been released from Suvarnavati reservoir into the connecting canal. Suvarnavati reservoir is 2,455 ft in height and requires water to fill about 11 ft to reach its maximum limit.
Early monsoon days didn’t seem too bright for district headquarter with rain gods failing to visit the fields on time for sowing activity.
Drought situation stared the district in its face, and that was close. However, with district receiving copious rainfall now, the farmers are heaving a sigh of relief.
With two feeder canals, Chikkahole reservoir can feed 4,407 acre of land and can hold up to .37 tmc ft water. While one feeder canal is 16 km long, another feeder canal is 12 km long, thus bringing in good inflow from catchment areas. The outflow of Chikkahole is reaching Suvarnavati reservoir, which can hold a good 1.25 tmc ft water.
This reservoir can provide water for 9,741 acres. The right and left canals of this reservoir are 18.5 km and five km long, respectively. Along their route, there are about nine lakes, ponds and canals too.
And, as it is happening everywhere, sand mining is rampant in this area too, and with the help of elected representatives. This has led to anguish among the farmers since water flow is getting affected.