Now Reading: Rakaskoppa reservoir nears full capacity as Belagavi rains revive
-
01
Rakaskoppa reservoir nears full capacity as Belagavi rains revive
Continuous moderate rainfall over the past week has transformed the water situation across Belagavi district, with the Rakaskoppa reservoir just 1.70 feet short of its full capacity of 2,475.50 feet. The reservoir…
Continuous moderate rainfall over the past week has transformed the water situation across Belagavi district, with the Rakaskoppa reservoir just 1.70 feet short of its full capacity of 2,475.50 feet. The reservoir had fallen to dead storage levels six weeks ago, raising fears over drinking water supply. Authorities opened two of its six gates on Thursday to release surplus water into the Markandeya river.
Heavy rain in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and the Khanapur forest region has boosted inflows into major rivers. The bridge-cum-barrage across the Ghataprabha and Markandeya rivers between Gokak and Shingalapur has gone under water, and commuters have been advised to use alternative routes. The Gokak Falls has come alive with water cascading from 171 feet, drawing large tourist numbers.
The Raja Lakhamagouda reservoir at Hidkal holds 32.87 TMC against a capacity of 51 TMC, receiving 16,872 cusecs inflow. The Navilutheertha reservoir on the Malaprabha river holds 15.35 TMC against 37.73 TMC. With rainfall expected to continue, farmers hope for improved soil moisture and better crop prospects.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Belagavi's water crisis in May, when the Rakaskoppa reservoir hit dead storage, had forced the city administration to impose water rationing. The June revival is not unusual, the southwest monsoon typically fills these rain-fed reservoirs by August. What matters now is whether rainfall stays consistent through September, because a shortfall in the later months would leave the district dependent on groundwater, which has been depleted by consecutive weak monsoons. The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre's weekly rainfall data will be the key indicator to watch through July.
Source: thehansindia.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
