Controlled Water Release from Uttara Kannada Reservoirs After Heavy Rain
Uttara Kannada District Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya said the Linganamakki reservoir has already reached its maximum level
Karwar: With reservoirs in Uttara Kannada district nearing full capacity following relentless rains in the Western Ghats, the district administration has begun controlled water releases.
Uttara Kannada District Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya said the Linganamakki reservoir has already reached its maximum level of 1,816 feet. At 10 am on Tuesday, 15,000 cusecs of water were released from the reservoir.
“If the outflow crosses 50,000 cusecs, nearly 160 families living downstream of the dam in Uttara Kannada district may face risk. But the present release will not cause any damage,” she said.
As a precaution, a team comprising tahsildars, gram panchayat members, and police shifted 101 residents — 37 men, 48 women, and 16 children — to a nearby care centre.
The DC further said that if more than one lakh cusecs of water are discharged from the Gerusoppa reservoir, 18 gram panchayats could be affected.
“The chances of such a release are very low. Even if water is let out, it will take three to four hours to reach downstream areas, giving the administration enough time to respond,” she explained.
Meanwhile, at the Kadra reservoir, water levels have risen to 30.8 metres due to incessant rains. Normally, 20,000 cusecs are released daily for power generation, but on Tuesday, an additional 30,000 cusecs were scheduled to be discharged. Locals have already been advised to move to safer areas.
Officials clarified that releasing up to 50,000 cusecs from Kadra would not pose a threat. “If the discharge goes beyond that limit, care centres are ready to accommodate residents as a precaution,” the DC added.
