Water levels improving in rivers, dams in north Karnataka

Rainfall in catchment areas in the upper reaches of Krishna river basin in Maharashtra and in Belgavi district since a week has revived water levels in the Krishna and its tributaries flowing through the northern parts of the district.

The fresh inflow into dams and water tanks has come as a major relief to the residents who faced shortage of drinking water during the preceding summer.

The water level at the Rakaskop dam across Markandeya river, the main source of drinking water supply to Belagavi city, has shown considerable increase in water level by 2.5 ft over the past 24 hours, as around 52.2 mm rainfall was received at the dam during this perios. The water level on Sunday morning was 2446.8 ft. The level on the same day last year was 2470.4 ft.

However, the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board has continued to pump water from the dam as the current level was still short of the point from where the water would flow from the dam to the filter unit at Laxmitek by gravity. Pumping would be continued for few more days, till the water level increased to the required level, KUWSDB Executive Engineer Prasanna Murthy said.

Meanwhile, reports reaching district headquarters here indicated fresh inflow of water into Krishna and its tributaries flowing through Chikodi and adjoining taluks of the district. The water level in Dudhganga river near Malikwad-Dattawad Bridge in Chikodi taluk presented an optimistic view of the steady swelling of the river.

Water-levels on Sunday morning

Raja Lakhamgouda (Hidkal) dam across Ghataprabha river: Reservoir level (RL) 2071.40 ft (Max. 2,175 ft), Inflow-1,887 cusecs; last year on this day R.L. 2107.30 ft, inflow 5,212 cusecs.

Duphdal dam (at the confluence of Ghataprabha and Markandeya rivers): R.L. 2002.00 ft, inflow 2,257 cusecs.

Navilteerth dam (across Malaprabha river): R.L. 2031.76 ft (Max. 2,079.50 ft), inflow nil.