JOIN USDip in Hemavathy dam; ryots anxious
The fast depleting water levels in the Hemavathy reservoir in Hassan has caused anxiety among the people, with the long summer ahead.
The water levels that are coming down at the reservoir at Gorur in the taluk at the beginning of summer has rung alarm bells among the concerned.
The reservoir had filled to its capacity rather late due to delayed monsoon is depleting fast.
On March 26 last year, the water levels were 19.56 TMC but on March 26 this year it is around only 6.3 TMC. When compared to last year, the water level is 13.29 TMC less this year. There is a lot of difference in the inflow and outflow of the water. While the outflow was 3,450 cusecs last year from the dam and the canals, this year only 100 cusecs water is being released, that too only for drinking water purpose.
No water is being let through canals after January 19 and thousands of farmers who were dependent on the canals to water their crops have suffered huge loss.
Chief executive engineer G T Venkatesh said that since the farmers are aware that there is shortage of water in the reservoir, they are not demanding for more water. If the water is released through canals, Hassan and several areas of the district would go dry, as it would be impossible to supply drinking water.
While the inflow was 63 cusecs on March 26 last year, this year the inflow is only 27 cusecs. The district faced such a situation in 2002 and 2003. The same situation has recurred after a decade, recalled one of the staff there.
As the water release into the canals have been stopped the two power grids out of three has stopped functioning. The water flowing into the river is being let through one grid and hence power is being generated from only a single grid.
Venkatesh said due to less monsoon last year it was thought that the reservoir would not fill to its capacity but surprisingly due to rains in the last days few days of the monsoon brought hope among the people, though it was a bit late. If there is rain till the month of November the district does not face water shortage but last year the monsoon ended in mid-October resulting in water problem.