There is a danger of additional water release from Dhanegaon barrage in Maharashtra into the Manjra, thereby leading to a flood like situation, after three days of continuous rainfall in Bidar and in bordering taluks of Maharashtra. Farmers on both banks of the river are living in fear of their fields being flooded or cattle being washed away.
However, there is no clarity on the quantum of release from the reservoir. Karnataka officials maintain that Maharashtra Irrigation Department officials have communicated that water would be released, but the timing and quantity remain unspecified.
Farmers living in border villages such as Kongli and Hulsoor, say they have heard from friends and fellow farmers in Dhanegaon that four gates of the reservoir were opened on Saturday morning, to reduce the pressure on the backwaters.
District in-charge Minister, Eshwar Khandre, said Maharashtra Irrigation Department officials had conveyed specific details of water release. “We are monitoring the situation. We will take steps to minimise losses,” he said,
Prakash Nikam, Superintendent of Police, said police officers were alerting residents of villages on the Manjra bank in Jampad, Chillargi and Chimkod. “We will help them shift to nearby high altitude towns,” he said.
