Water level in Tungabhadra dam plummets to 10-year low

Low storage at start of summer cause for worry

Water in the Tungabhadra (TB) dam near here - which supplies water to people in the State and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh - has plummeted to the lowest level in the last 10 years.

The storage in the reservoir is 6.681 tmc ft and the scenario is worrying given that it has touched the single digit right at the beginning of summer. The water storage in the dam on March 23 last year stood at 12.275 tmc ft. The TB dam quenches the thirst of people in the districts of Ballari, Koppal and Raichur. 

Koppal city gets its supply through a direct pipeline from the reservoir. However, many other places, including Ballari city, which depend on canals for water, are already facing a severe shortage. People in Ballari and surrounding places are getting water only once in 10 days, as water has not been released to the canals from the reservoir.

The high level canal (HLC) in Allipura and low level canal (LLC) in Moka are 84 and 121 km, respectively, from the TB dam. 

With the low storage in the dam, it is difficult for water to flow till the two canals. Allipura and Moka are 15 and 20 km, respectively, from Ballari city. 

The situation is the same in Toranagallu, Kampli, Sandur and other places in the district. There is no problem as of now in Hosapete city as it is close to the dam. About 140 cusecs and 160 cusecs, respectively, are being released daily to the right bank and left bank canals for irrigation.

Releasing water from the dam to Kadapa, Anantapur and Kurnool districts in Andhra Pradesh is out of question now. People in Adoni of Kurnool district have sought water at least for drinking. Engineers in the Tungabhadra Dam Administrative Board say that the water will suffice for another three months for places like Hosapete and Koppal. But the situation could worsen thereafter. The engineers favour a separate pipeline to supply water from the reservoir directly to Ballari and nearby places.

With less water in the backwaters of the TB dam, there is no sight of migratory birds this time.