Fall from grace for waterfalls as KPCL gets water wise

Long wait for cascade sights

If one is planning a visit to any of the state’s popular waterfalls any time soon, they are advised to put off the trip for a while.

The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) and district administrations are keen to store water in reservoirs, anticipating a grim summer. As a result, some of the famed waterfalls (like Jog or the twin falls at Shivanasamudra) are attracting less tourists compared to last year.

This is clearly reflected in the footfall at Jog Falls, which is short by at least 30,000, compared to the same period last year. Only 20,000 tourists visited there so far. It is no different at Shivanasamudra. Just 5,000 visited the twin falls - Gaganachukki and Bharachukki so far, said tourism department officials.

The water level at the Linganamakki reservoir in Shivamogga district, 1.5 km from the Jog Falls, is 49.03 tmcft against the gross storage capacity of 151.75 tmcft.

D M Satishkumar, Assistant Commissioner, Sagar taluk, said due to drought and power crises, importance is being given to fill the Linganamakki reservoir across River Sharavathi. If rains persist, the reservoir could get filled in three weeks.

“Only after this, we can release excess water to the waterfalls. Presently, the flow to the waterfalls is from the rainwater accumulated between the dam and the falls,’’ he said.

The KPCL is also keen to store water to meet the power needs in the peak of summer. The Sharavathi is the biggest hydel power station with a total capacity of 1,035 MW. An additional 240 MW is generated at the Gerusoppa station and 55 MW at the Linganamakki station.

The levels at KRS and Kabini reservoirs are 19.70 tmcft and 11.67 tmc ft, respectively, against the storage capacity of 49.45 tmcft and 19.52 tmcft. The twin waterfalls will get water only from the excess water flowing from these reservoirs. The Shivanasamudra hydro-electric station generates 387 MW.

Ajay Nagabhushan M N, Deputy Commissioner, Mandya said that though rains are persistent in south interior Karnataka regions, the waterfalls are yet to cascade in full glory due to low water levels in the reservoirs.

The whole impact of this is that waterfall tourism, the main attraction during monsoon, has taken a beating. Krishna D Udapudi, the managing director of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, said the Jog Falls is the most popular destination.

“Because of low reservoir level and less rainfall, water flow in the falls has been less,’’ he said. “Two monsoon months are needed to fill reservoirs in Karnataka and only after they are saturated will the water flow increase in the falls. We expect an increase in the number of visitors from July end,” Udapudi said.

Other highly frequented waterfalls are Irpu and Abbey Falls in Kodagu district, Sathodi (near Kallaramane Ghat), Magod (both in Yellapur, Uttara Kannada district), Gokak (Belagavi district), Hebbe (Kemmannugundi, Chikkamagalur).

Dudhsagar Falls (near Castle Rock) is also a very popular waterfalls, but entry is restricted there by the forest department.