Almatti Dam Outflow Hits 1.1 Lakh Cusecs Amid Rising Inflow from Maharashtra

Emergency Protocols Enacted as Water Levels Surge

Irrigation authorities intensified water discharge from the Almatti dam on Thursday, raising the outflow to approximately 1.1 lakh cusecs. This tactical move follows a steady rise in water volume arriving from upstream Maharashtra reservoirs. Officials from the Revenue and Police departments have begun notifying residents in villages along the riverbanks to relocate to safer zones as a precautionary measure against potential flooding.

Current Reservoir Statistics and Inflow Data

The Lal Bahadur Shastri reservoir, situated on the Krishna River at Almatti, currently holds 99 tmcft of live storage, nearing its total capacity of 123 tmcft. Key hydrological data points recorded during this period include:

• Kallol Barrage: Total discharge from Maharashtra reservoirs reached 86,840 cusecs, marking a climb from Wednesday's 79,784 cusecs.
• Almatti Inflow: The average inflow reached 89,361 cusecs, with further increases expected due to rainfall in the upper catchment.
• Hipparagi Barrage: Reported an inflow of 78,400 cusecs against an outflow of 76,900 cusecs.
• Raja Lakhamagouda Dam: Stored 30 tmcft of live storage with an inflow of 16,872 cusecs.
• Renuka Sagar Dam: Held 11.9 tmcft of its 37 tmcft capacity, maintaining an inflow of 2,536 cusecs.

Projected Increase in Upstream Discharge

Technical experts predict that discharge levels will likely escalate throughout the week. The 7,056 cusec jump in Maharashtra's contribution over a 24-hour period indicates a strengthening trend in the regional water cycle. As the upper catchment area continues to receive significant rainfall, irrigation officers remain on high alert to adjust outflow rates in real-time to maintain dam structural integrity and manage downstream impact.

Source: The Hindu — National