Farmers flay move to release water from Harangi

4,500 cusecs water released through electricity generating unit

Before Harangi reservoir is filled to the brim, 4,500 cusecs water was released to the river through electricity generating unit on Wednesday. The farmers flayed the move to release water to the river. 

With Harangi catchment area receiving good rainfall for the last few days, the inflow of water into the reservoir has increased. So far six tmc feet water is fiiled in the reservoir. Two tmc feet water needs for the reservoir to be filled to the brim. By releasing the water, the authorities have done injustice to the farmers of the district, said Water Users Federation Director I S Ganesh.

“We do not have water for sowing seeds. In such a scenario, what was the need to release water to the river through electricity generation unit.” The reservoir was full in the month of June last year and water was released to the river from July 1.
 However, owing to delay in monsoon, the reservoir is not yet filled. Before releasing water to the river, the residents living near the river have not been informed. Water is released from Tuesday evening itself. Who will be held responsible if farmers, labourers and cattle living on the banks of river are washed away,” Ganesh asked.  Irrigation department Assistant Executive Engineer Dharmaraj told Deccan Herald that senior officials have asked to release water from the reservoir.

 Accordingly, 4,500 cusecs water is being released. Water will be released till the authorities ask us to stop releasing water. 

In the meantime, rain continued to lash Bhagamandala, Pushpagiri and Shanthalli on Wednesday. In the last 24 hours, Bhagamandala has received 15 cm rainfall followed by Shanthalli 11.8 cm and Srimangala —10.3 cm rainfall. The inflow of water to Harangi reservoir was 12,243 cusecs. The water -level in the reservoir stood at 2,850.79 feet.