Hirehalla is full, but canals are still in bad shape

The Hirehalla reservoir near Kinnal in Koppal taluk is filled to the brim after a gap of three years, and the water is being released into both the left and the right canals. Sufficient water in the reservoir and release of water have raised the hopes of the farmers of the region.

The officials of the reservoir informed that 82 cusec of water has been released into the left bank canal, and 50 cusec to the right bank canal. Though it was decided to release 64 cusec to the right bank canals, the condition of the canals prevented them from releasing full quantity of water, they added.

Water is being released to Yalburga taluk also. Farmers in Kinnal region are drawing the water with the help of the pumpsets. With the release of water to the left bank canal, water requirement of 3,000 hectares, out of 5,000 hectres of irrigated land in Kinnal, Devalapur, Ojanahalli, Chilwadigi, and Kalakeri region has been met, the officials informed.

Similarly, out of 3,300 hectares located in Madinur, Mudlapur, Yatnatti, and Huccheshwar Camp, the water requirement of 1,800 hectres has been met by releasing the water into the right bank canal. The farmers in these regions have grown, among others, ‘sajje’ (pearl millet), cabbage, cotton, and maize crops. The farmers have already harvested the pearl millet. The paddy and the maize will be harvested in another month, informed Assistant Executive Engineer of the reservoir, Basavaraj Bandiwadder.

The canals have been damaged due to lack of maintenance. At some places, the canal is filled up with stones, soil, and boulders. At other places, canals have become very old. They might get completely damaged if water is released. Moreover, funds have been released for the maintenance and repair of these canals. Therefore, water is not being released into these canals, Mr Bandiwadder stated.

Storage level

The present storage level in the reservoir is 1.67 tmc ft, out of which 0.47 tmc ft has already been released. The inflow was 400 cusec for the past three days. This enabled the officials to release 500 cusec of water for 24 hours on two occasions. But, now inflow has completely stopped. The remaining water will be released in phases so that farmers can grow two crops this year, he stated.

Silt

Kinnal reservoir is full of silt. However, it may be noted that this reservoir was constructed with the main intention of preventing the flow of silt to the Tungabhadra reservoir. Therefore, at present, the silt in Kinnal reservoir is more than the water storage level.

No water

The villages served by left bank canals, like Halvarti, Bahaddur Bandi, and Hiresindhogi, and those served by the right bank canals like Halageri and Kolur have not received water since water could not be released into these canals due to the bad condition of these canals.