Water Released from Allamatti Reservoir Causes Flooding in Surrounding Areas

Vijayapura: On Tuesday night, the release of more than 3.5 lakh cusecs of water from the Allamatti reservoir has led to significant flooding in the areas surrounding the Krishna river. Over 100 acres of land along the riverbanks have been inundated, impacting several villages including Arladinni, Yallammana Budihala, Kashinakuntii, Yalagura, and Masuti. The increased water levels have severely affected sugarcane and other crops in these regions.

 Reasons for Increased Water Release

The decision to release such a substantial volume of water follows an initial reduction to 3 lakh cusecs on Monday. The reduction was reversed on Tuesday night due to a decline in the reservoir’s water level. The need to manage the reservoir’s capacity and ensure its safety prompted this adjustment.

Impact on Local Areas

The flooding has caused widespread disruption in the affected villages. The excess water flow has overwhelmed the riverbanks, leading to damage to agricultural lands and affecting local communities. The rise in water levels has also led to flooding in the backwaters of Chikkapadsalagi and Hipparagi reservoirs, exacerbating the situation.

Current Reservoir Conditions

The inflow into the Allamatti reservoir has surged since Monday, attributed to heavy rains in the upstream regions of Maharashtra and along the Ghataprabha river. As of Wednesday evening, the reservoir has reached a maximum height of 519.6 meters, holding approximately 67.35 TMC feet of water out of its total capacity of 123 TMC feet.

Future Considerations

The ongoing management of the reservoir’s water levels will be crucial in mitigating further flooding. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and making adjustments as necessary to balance the reservoir’s capacity and minimise the impact on downstream areas.

The local population and agricultural stakeholders are advised to stay informed about the water release schedules and potential impacts. Measures are being taken to address immediate concerns and to provide support to those affected by the flooding.