Krishna basin to face dry spell as Maharashtra yet to release water

Belagavi: With Maharashtra not releasing water from its reservoirs, the Krishna River is gradually running dry, triggering concern among people living in villages along the river basin.

A huge quantity of water was lost after the 22nd gate of the Hipparagi barrage was damaged. During the corresponding period last year, Hipparagi had 1.76 tmcft of live storage. This year, on May 10, only 0.31 tmcft of live storage remains. This is expected to suffice only for two weeks.

If water is not released into the Krishna River from Maharashtra, more than 130 villages in Belagavi district are likely to face drinking water shortage. Villages in Bagalkot and Vijayapura districts will also suffer from water scarcity.

Ministers have repeatedly stated that an all-party delegation would be taken to meet the Maharashtra chief minister to press for the release of water into the Krishna River from Maharashtra reservoirs. However, the delegation has not yet visited Maharashtra.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in a letter dated April 22, 2026 addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had urged that two tmcft of water each be released into the Krishna River from the Koyna or Warana reservoirs in Maharashtra and into the Bhima River from the Ujjani reservoir to meet the drinking water needs of people and livestock in north Karnataka districts.

However, there has been no response so far.