Koppal/Raichur: Two of Kalyana Karnataka’s major reservoirs presented contrasting pictures on Wednesday, with Narayanpur Dam continuing massive flood releases into the Krishna River while Tungabhadra Dam focused on conserving water after a sharp rise in storage levels. Narayanpur Dam, also known as Basava Sagar Reservoir in Yadgir district, received an inflow of 1.5 lakh cusecs, largely due to heavy releases from upstream Almatti Dam. To maintain the reservoir near its full level of 492.2 metres, authorities released 1.4 lakh cusecs through its crest gates into the Krishna River.
Tungabhadra Dam
Authorities in Raichur district remained on alert amid the heavy discharge. All 196 gates of the Gurjapur bridge-cum-barrage downstream were opened to facilitate the smooth flow of water and prevent flooding. District officials also issued advisories cautioning residents of riverbank villages against entering the river.In contrast, Tungabhadra Dam at Munirabad in Koppal district is retaining most of the incoming water to rebuild storage after an early-monsoon deficit. Storage in the reservoir has risen to 59.7tmcft against its full capacity of 105.7tmcft, aided by strong inflows from the Malnad region and Western Ghats.
AI
The dam recorded an inflow of 1,00,750 cusecs, but outflow remains restricted to about 1,443 cusecs through the left bank and right bank low-level canals. All 33 crest gates remain closed and there is no flood discharge into the Tungabhadra riverbed.Superintendent engineer S Narayana Naik said authorities were exercising caution before making larger irrigation releases. “We are delaying large-scale water releases for kharif crop irrigation until the reservoir gains more stable storage,” he said.While Narayanpur is passing on excess water received from upstream, Tungabhadra is prioritising storage accumulation before making larger irrigation releases.Improved inflows have raised hopes among farmers in the command areas of both reservoirs. With water availability improving, farming communities are hopeful irrigation canals will receive adequate supplies in the coming weeks, raising expectations of a good paddy crop during the rabi season.Irrigation authorities said reservoir levels and upstream rainfall patterns continue to be monitored closely. If the inflow trend persists, Tungabhadra is expected to gain further storage, strengthening prospects for irrigation across the region.
