Tungabhadra dam brimming, water released into river

Following copious rainfall in the catchment areas of River Tungabhadra and heavy inflow, the TB reservoir here is nearing maximum capacity and water was released into the river from three crest gates on Friday, said Tungabhadra Board Secretary D Ranga Reddy.

Speaking to the media, he said bagina was offered to the dam before releasing 4,500 cusecs. The current inflow to the dam is 45,000 cusecs including 20,000 cusecs from River Varada alone, said Reddy. It is a matter of joy that the dam has reached its maximum capacity despite delayed monsoon, he said.

However, by Friday evening the inflow had increased to 1 lakh cusecs and along with three crest gates, seven others totalling to 10 gates were opened and 22,000 cusecs of water was released into the river. The water level at the dam stood at 1,631.76 ft with 92.45 tmc ft water stored in the dam.

“Following the ongoing repair work at left bank main canal, release of water will be delayed. However, a decision in this regard will be taken in the Irrigation Consultative Committee meeting scheduled to be held on Saturday,” he added.

Hundreds of people thron­ged TB Dam to catch the gli­mpse of the brimming reservoir. The release of water from the dam further enhanced its charm. The view point near Vaikunta Guest House and the National Highway bridge across the backwaters were teaming with visitors.

The water level at Gorur Dam across the River Hemavathi in Hassan is likely to reach maximum level by Saturday evening, following copious rainfall and heavy inflow.

On Friday, the water level stood at 2,918.41 ft (maximum 2,922 ft) while the inflow was 22,388 cusecs. As much as 4,520 cusecs was released into the river while the water storage stood at 33.6 tmc ft.

Flood warning

A notification issued by the Superintendent Engineer of Hemavathi Project Circle had urged residents of the villages on the banks of the river to shift to safer locations as water could be released from crest gates, if the inflow increased.
Heavy rains continued to lash Malnad taluks—Hosanagar, Sagar and Thirthahalli in the district.

Following the downpour, the district administration had declared holiday for schools and colleges on August 1. Hosanagar taluk is the worst affected as bridges have collapsed at Kallur and Bidarahalli. The body of Jeevan, 24, who had gone missing while fishing in the backwaters of River Sharavathi near Savehaklu dam, a few days ago, was recovered.

The vehicular movement between Hosanagar and Thirthahalli via Sonale and Shimoga and Udupi via Agumbe and Shimoga and Thirthahalli near Mandagadde were suspended due to bad road and flooding. Apart from this, the movement of vehicles was affected in various parts of the district.

Above danger mark

Normal life was affected in Thirthahalli as the major rivers Tunga, Bhadra, Malati, Kushavati were flowing above the danger mark. Block Education Officer H R Krishnamurthy stated that the holiday for schools and colleges has been extended to August 2 due to heavy rain in Thirthahalli.In the last 24 hours, Agumbe has received the highest rainfall of 395mm.

Though rains have receded in the district,  River Krishna and its tributaries are in spate as large quantum of water is being released into the rivers by dams in Maharashtra. The inflow into River Krishna on Friday rose to 1.45 lakh cusecs.

As a result large tracts of farm land in the district are submerged. Several low-lying bridges including Kallol-Yadur, Malikwad-Dattawad, Karadaga-Bhoj, Jatrat-Bhivashi, Akkol-Sidnal and Bhojwadi-Kunnur are still submerged under water. However with the rains receding, the people have heaved a sigh of relief as Belgaum-Panaji national highway, Hemmadaga-Sindhanur state highway and Bidi-Parishwad roads were opened for traffic.

Rains receded in the district on Friday bringing back some normalcy in the lives of people. Most of the taluks received intermittent rain except for Mundagod which received heavy rainfall. The water level in Rivers Gangavali and Aghanashini has also receded. The gruel centre which was opened in Divagi village was closed on Friday. Many electricity poles were uprooted in the district due to gusty wind. The district has received 62.3 mm of rainfall.