Though incessant rains since September have helped fill the Lingambudhi lake to the brim, the old sluice gate — which was defunct for decades — gave way owing to pressure. As a result, water is overflowing from the lake raising concerns that not only could it inundate the adjoining layouts, but may deplete the water level in the lake.
Range Forest Officer Girish, who is in-charge of plugging the leak, said they have summoned “Seagull Divers” from Mangaluru who have experience in working at dam sites and harbours under similar circumstances.
“They are working since Sunday morning and have been able to plug the leak only partially as the width of the vent is not clear. The current and pressure from the gushing water is such that the sand bags dumped into the water was being pushed up repeatedly,” Mr. Girish said. But there was a semblance of control by evening, he added.
Earlier in the day, Forest Department staff, along with the local tahsildar, went around the private layouts adjoining the lake to assess damage owing to flooding, if any. Mr. Girish said there was no damage though portions of some of the layouts like Preethi Layout, parts of Srirampura, Parasayannahundi etc, were affected owing to water outflow.
Local residents aver this is the first time in recent decades that the water level in the lake has reached the brim. The lake is spread over 250 acres and is a major lung space and the water spread spans around 150 acres during peak monsoon.
The entire waterbody, including the foreshore, is maintained by the Forest Department which has taken up measures for rejuvenating the lake which has also been declared a reserve forest.
