Stranded youth rescued

Release of water from Linganamakki reservoir was halted, while police and fire brigade personnel had to arrive to rescue the stranded youths.

A group of 10 youths from Belludi village near Harihar visited Jog on Saturday. To make the trip adventurous, they walked to the centre of Sharavati river, balancing on the rock formations near Seetakatte bridge. The place was inundated, when 11,000 cusec water was released from Linganamakki reservoir by opening all its 11 crest gates.  
While Jayanna, B S Suresh, Girish, Ramesh, Rudresh, Kumar and M Ramesh were stranded in the river, three others, on the river bank, cried for help. The reservoir authorities were urged to close the gates and stop the release of water. Once the water level in the river receded, the stranded youth were rescued by the police and fire brigade personnel.

Full to the brim

Meanwhile, the water in the Linganamakki reservoir has reached the maximum level and over 11,000 cusec of water was released on Saturday.

The water level had reached as low as 1,740 feet (maximum level: 1819 feet) feet in July first week this year, compelling Karnataka Power Corporation to halt power generation. The low storage was the result of poor rainfall and indiscriminate use of water for power generation during elections.

Active monsoon

However, monsoon became active in second week of July and the water level reached 1,800 feet mark by the end of August, thus allaying the fears of breakdown in power generation.

With the actual generation capacity of 24 million units, the four units of Sharavati hydel power project located downstream the Linganamakki reservoir cater to 25 per cent of the power needs of the State. 

KPC Chief Engineer Ramaiah told Deccan Herald that with the present storage, optimum generation is possible all through the year. KPC has fixed the target to generate 5,800 million units in Sharavati hydel project which includes 4,600 MU in Sharavati power house, 600 MU in Gerusoppa and 300 MU each in Linganamakki and Mahatma Gandhi power houses.

Jog-Kargal received 30 mm rainfall on Saturday. Inflow to the reservoir stands at 45,000 cusec at present. All 11 crestgates were raised by 0.75 feet to release water.
KPC officials said that the gates will be lowered once the inflow decreased. Tourists swarmed Jog on Saturday to enjoy the enchanting view of the water falls.