Ballari: With the Tungabhadra river swelling due to heavy discharge from the dam, Ballari district administration has stepped up flood preparedness. Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Mishra, following a District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting on Tuesday evening, instructed tahsildars in vulnerable regions — especially Kampli and Siruguppa taluks — to initiate immediate precautionary measures.
The DC emphasized the importance of relocating residents from low-lying areas to safer locations and setting up temporary relief centres. The action follows an early surge in the Tungabhadra reservoir’s water levels, which the DC attributed to intense rainfall in the Malnad region, the river’s catchment zone.
The Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) has decided to retain 80–85 tmcft of water in the reservoir, releasing the excess into the river. This has prompted heightened monitoring along riverbanks. Currently, the reservoir holds 76.7 tmcft against its full capacity of 105.8 tmcft, with an inflow of 54,550 cusecs and an outflow of 61,645 cusecs, according to DDMA officer Parmesh.
Parmesh noted that the Kampli-Gangavathi bridge would remain unaffected unless the outflow exceeds 1,00,000 cusecs. In such a case, two villages in Kampli and one in Siruguppa could face flooding.
The DC also directed officials to conduct daily checks, warn people not to venture near the river, and ensure the safety of both residents and livestock. He stressed the urgency of advance preparedness to prevent casualties and safeguard crops.