With the weak monsoon and almost dry spell running for nearly two months in the district, the Almatti dam, one of biggest reservoirs of the North Karnataka region, is showing no sign of reaching its full storage capacity this year.
The dam, which normally gets filled in August to offer a spectacular view to the visitors, and sees the Chief Minister performing the ritual of offering ‘bagina’, is gradually reaching its minimum storage level.
One of the reasons for the dam not receiving adequate water is the failure of the monsoon in Western Ghats. When the Ghats receive abundant rain, the heavy flow of water reaches the reservoir after Maharashtra discharges excess water from Koyna dam.
According to sources in Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Limited (KBJNL), when the dam fills up to its brim in the last week of July or in the beginning of August, it prompts the officials to start discharging at least 1 lakh cusecs of water every day through the crest gates. “After several years, we are again facing this acute shortage and we are unable to discharge water even in the second week of August,” the officials said. Since 2002, the dam had been receiving water to its full capacity.
It may be noted that last year, though the inflow began late, the huge quantity of water filled the dam quickly.
Though the water level is depleting rapidly, 657 cusecs of water is being released through canals to save the crops in the catchment area.
On Wednesday, of the total 123 tmc ft. capacity, the dam had only 72 tmc ft. water left. Out of this, 17.60 tmc ft.is dead storage, leaving only 55 tmc ft. for irrigation.
The officials said that given the limited availability of water, efforts have been made to prevent any wastage of water for its optimum utilisation.
