Karnataka's fast-filling reservoirs add to mid-monsoon cheer

With copious rainfall in the catchment areas of rivers, water levels in all 14 major reservoirs of Karnataka have crossed 70 per cent of their storage capacity.

With still a month and a half of monsoon season left, experts say the state may not face drinking water crisis next summer.

The reservoirs, including three hydel, have stored 715.92 tmc ft of water as against the total gross capacity of 895.62 tmc ft, as on July 28.

The state’s dams had 687.37 tmc ft on the same date last year. Overall, the reservoirs have filled up to 80 per cent of their capacity.

The reservoirs in the Cauvery basin have stored nearly 95 per cent of their capacity, with Hemavathi and KRS having filled up to 97 per cent. KRS, considered the lifeline of old Mysuru region, had reached maximum capacity in June for the first time since 1958. It continues to store 47.79 tmc ft of water against its gross capacity of 49.45 tmc ft.

Harangi has the least among the reservoirs in Cauvery basin, with 79 per cent of its total 8.5 tmc ft.

However, with outflow higher than inflow to the reservoir, officials managing the reservoir say they are hopeful of storing enough water for both irrigation and drinking during summer months.

The Krishna basin, which covers nearly two-thirds of the state, has six major reservoirs and they have filled to nearly 81 per cent.

Tungabhadra reservoir, which has a large quantity of silt accumulation, has stored 75 tmc ft of water as against its storage capacity of 105.79 ft. Keeping in mind last year’s tragedy when a gate of the dam gave way, an official told DH that they were releasing “substantial” quantities of water into the river.

While the inflow to the reservoir is 96,836 cusecs, outflow is 1.06 lakh cusecs.

Power generation

The three hydel reservoirs - Linganamakki (82 per cent), Supa (64 per cent) and Varahi (75 per cent) - have stored sufficient water to generate electricity during summer.

Of the total 328.18 tmc ft of storage, these hydel dams have stored 240.96 tmc ft, nearly 16 tmc ft more than that on July 28 last year.

Vani Vilas Sagar, a major drinking water source for Davangere and Chitradurga districts, has 22.98 tmc ft of water and is 8 tmc ft from maximum level.

Gaurav Gupta, additional chief secretary of the water resources department, says the reservoirs were filling up since June itself and there is abundant water stored in all the dams to mitigate drinking water needs and for power generation.

“Compared to last year, we are very well placed with a majority of our reservoirs nearly 80 per cent full. In the coming days, we are expecting further inflow. Even hydel power stations are receiving good inflow. We can expect to generate a substantial amount of electricity during summer from these plants,” he said.