Karnataka Reservoir Levels Stay Below Last Year as Weak Inflows Raise Fresh Concerns
Major reservoirs across Karnataka continue to receive lower inflows than last year with Kabini Hemavathi and KRS showing reduced storage levels while farmers await stronger monsoon rainfall for relief.
Water levels in several of Karnataka’s major reservoirs remain lower than they were at the same time last year, highlighting the impact of uneven monsoon rainfall across the state. Reduced inflows into key dams such as Kabini, Hemavathi and Krishna Raja Sagara have raised concerns among farmers who depend on these reservoirs for irrigation during the cultivation season.
Among the reservoirs in the Cauvery basin, Kabini has recorded one of the sharpest declines. Located in Mysuru district, the reservoir received only 10 mm of rainfall in its catchment over the past 24 hours. The current water level stands at 71.16 feet compared to 81.51 feet on the same day last year. Water storage has dropped to 12.25 TMC from 18.55 TMC recorded a year ago. Inflow has also fallen dramatically to 1354 cusecs from 24180 cusecs last year while the present outflow is 500 cusecs.
Hemavathi Reservoir near Gorur in Hassan district is also witnessing lower storage. The dam currently holds 22.402 TMC of water with the level at 2904.04 feet against its maximum level of 2922 feet. During the corresponding period last year the reservoir had reached 2920.97 feet with storage of 36.108 TMC. Current inflow is only 1387 cusecs compared with 9491 cusecs last year while 300 cusecs are being released.
The Krishna Raja Sagara reservoir in Mandya district, a vital source of drinking water and irrigation, is also showing limited inflow. The water level has reached 92.88 feet against its full reservoir level of 124.80 feet. Storage currently stands at 17.727 TMC. The reservoir is receiving 1144 cusecs of water while 1344 cusecs are being released downstream.
Conditions are comparatively stable at the Almatti Reservoir in Vijayapura district. Built across the Krishna River, the reservoir has a current water level of 517.42 metres against its maximum capacity level of 519.60 metres. It is receiving an inflow of 6091 cusecs while 3012 cusecs are being discharged.
The Tungabhadra Reservoir near Hosapete continues to maintain moderate storage despite lower inflows than expected. The water level currently stands at 1603.37 feet against the full reservoir level of 1633 feet. The dam holds 26.199 TMC of water. Live inflow is 2850 cusecs with an average inflow of 3212 cusecs over the past 24 hours. Authorities are releasing 2166 cusecs through canals while no water is currently being discharged into the river.
Officials and farmers are closely monitoring the rainfall pattern as the monsoon progresses. A significant improvement in rainfall across the catchment areas will be essential to increase reservoir storage and ensure sufficient water availability for agriculture, drinking water supply and other essential needs in the coming months. Until then, the lower than expected inflows into Karnataka’s major reservoirs remain a matter of concern for both water managers and farming communities.
