Water in Almatti hits dead storage level

Almatti, one of the major reservoirs of Karnataka and the lifeline of Vijayapura district, has reached dead storage level over a month before the arrival of monsoon. According to officials of the Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Ltd. (KBJNL), till a couple of days ago, the dam had over 2 tmcft of live storage. However, after the release of water to the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), the reservoir has reached dead storage level.

Officials said the occurrence was not unprecedented. “In the past, the dam used to reach the dead storage level just a week before the arrival of monsoon,” an official said. The good news is that even this is adequate to meet the drinking water demand of Vijayapura and parts of Bagalkot district that depend on the Almatti dam.

The available water can be used till June, when the monsoon arrives, the official said. Though norms prohibit the use of dead storage water as it helps maintain ecological balance, a provision has been made to use it for drinking purpose during emergencies.

On Telangana’s demand for 2 tmcft of water from Karnataka, Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil said no decision had been taken yet.