The authorities have placed villages on the banks of the Krishna River in Raichur district on high alert due to a significant increase in water level in the Krishna River. This is mainly due to the release of a large amount of water from the Almatti Dam, which has caused alarm for local officials and residents.
According to officials who closely monitor the situation, 24 crest gates of the Almatti reservoir have been opened, and about 1.11 lakh cusecs of water have been released downstream. The high level of water flow has resulted from heavy rain in several districts in Maharashtra and in other parts of North Karnataka, and the heavy rainfall has raised the flows into the reservoir, which are now more urgent.
Since the Krishna is flowing at an unusually high rate, the authorities in Karnataka have issued warnings to the people living in low-lying areas and villages along the riverbank and have warned them to be prepared to be very vigilant and take the necessary precautions.
The alert was issued for villages in Lingasugur, Devadurga, and Raichur taluks. Residents in these areas should be advised to stay away from the riverbanks, and livestock and other essential items are to be placed in safer places if the situation warrants it, the source said.
Karnataka Bijapur Jal Nigam Limited (KBJNL) said inflows into the Almatti Dam continue to be very high. As heavy rains are predicted for the upper catchment areas, the volume of water released from the reservoir could increase even further in the next few days, and the area of the river could flood.
In the last 24 hours, 1.11 lakh cusecs of water have been released from the dam, and inflows continue at nearly the same alarming rate. This has prompted district authorities to take action immediately and to keep track of developments, and to put revenue, disaster management, and local authorities on high alert. Flood-related disaster response teams are being formed, and emergency response units are being prepared to act on any flood-related emergencies that could arise.
Residents in vulnerable villages are asked to adhere to official advice: avoid crossing flooded roads and river streams. Local authorities are also instructed to report any emergencies or concerns to local authorities as soon as possible so that quick action can be taken to avoid damage and restore the local environment.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall in parts of Maharashtra and North Karnataka. If the inflows into reservoirs remain at current levels or increase, there would be a higher likelihood that the Krishna River levels will increase, and thus flooding and related hazards could worsen.
They insist that monitoring of the situation will continue and more alerts will be issued if more water is released from the dam. They are in close contact with water levels and will be keeping the community informed of any developments that can impact their safety and well-being. The proactive response by the authorities makes clear the peril to them and that residents need to be informed and prepared.
