'Water situation grim as state receives below normal monsoon'

 Water Resources Minister M B Patil on Saturday said that the drinking water situation looked grim as reservoir levels were dipping owing to deficient rains.

Despite the onset of monsoon, the state has continued to receive below normal rains. Patil said if the state does not receive good rainfall soon, water stored in the reservoirs would run out in the next two weeks.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said that the reservoir levels in both Krishna and Cauvery basins had depleted dramatically. “We can manage with water stored in the KRS for the next two weeks. If it doesn’t rain, then the situation will be quite serious. As reservoirs in Krishna basin too are drying out, there will a serious crisis on hand,” he said.

He said that water was stored to meet the drinking water needs only till June. “However, we are nearing June-end, and yet we haven’t received adequate rains,” he added.

Water levels

Presently, only 6.82 tmc water is available in the KRS. The reservoir, which has a capacity of 49.45 tmc, had 16.91 tmc water stored last year during the corresponding period.

The situation in Hemavathi, Harangi and Kabini too is grim. While only 4.80 tmc water is available in Hemavathi, Harangi has 2 tmc water stored, while Kabini’s levels have dipped to 2.99 tmc. Likewise, Almatti, which had 31.39 tmc water stored in June last year, has only 13.98 tmc water available this time. The dam can store up to 123.08 tmc.

Tungabhadra too has hit an all-time low. Only 3.64 tmc water is available in the dam, which can store up to 100.86 tmc.

Water levels

Reservoir    Full Capacity    Present    Last year

Linganmakki    151.75    22.37    37.05
Supa    145.33    28.17    51.13
Varahi    31.10    3.85    7.59
Harangi    8.50    2    3
Hemavathi    37.10    4.80    16.25
KRS    49.45    6.82    16.91
Kabini    19.52    2.99    14.88
Bhadra    71.53    13.56    31.19
Tungabhadra    100.86    3.64    10.50
Ghataprabha    51    2.93    5.71
Malaprabha    37.73    3.46    6.79
Almatti    123.08    13.98    31.39
Narayanpura    33.31    12.39    15.73