Karkala: On July 6, 2023 The Swarne river in Karkala is experiencing an overflow due to heavy rainfall over the past few days. The swollen river is entering the Baje Dam in Hiriyadka, creating concerns about flooding in the area. The Swarne river, originating from Mala Mallar in the Western Ghats foothills, has witnessed a significant increase in water inflow due to the relentless rains.
This year, all the gates of the dam located at Balmagundi in Durga village of Karkala taluk have been opened to prevent artificial flooding. Consequently, the excess water from the Swarne river is being absorbed into the Baje Dam in Udupi. This vital step has been taken to mitigate potential flood risks and safeguard the surrounding areas.
A notable contribution to the development of the region came from Dr. M. Venkatachalam, who hails from the Karkala assembly constituency and currently serves as the Chief Minister of the state. In 1994, Veerappa Moily, the then Chief Minister, initiated a scheme for Karkala that included the construction of a dam across the Swarne river at Mundli Balmagundi, under the jurisdiction of Durga Gram Panchayath. This project was executed at a cost of Rs 2 crore.
Water from the Kindi dam is diverted to a water purification plant in the vicinity of Ramasamudram, from where it is supplied to meet the drinking water needs of Karkala municipality. The Swarne river, previously a power source, has been transformed into a mini-dam due to the establishment of a hydroelectric plant in the same area a few years ago. The power generation company’s plan to upgrade the micro-dam for enhanced power generation has inadvertently contributed to the artificial flooding in the region.
Despite the monsoon season’s arrival, the automatic doors attached to the elevated Kindi dam remained closed, resulting in a rise in water levels and subsequent inundation of agricultural land. This issue has persisted in previous years, making the current resolution a cause for celebration among villagers.
During the previous assembly election campaign, the environmental power generation unit garnered significant attention. However, the water storage level in the dam has been gradually declining due to annual siltation. The accumulation of silt, carried by rainwater, obstructs the automatic doors of the elevated Kindi dam, hindering proper water flow.
The Swarne river in Balmagundi carries a substantial amount of sand, surpassing the volume of water. Consequently, the river often dries up even before the arrival of summer, leaving sand clusters scattered across its course.
As the situation unfolds, authorities are closely monitoring the water levels in the Swarne river and undertaking measures to alleviate the flood risks in the region. The welfare and safety of the residents remain a top priority, and concerted efforts are being made to address the challenges posed by the overflow of the river and ensure the well-being of the affected communities.
