Maharashtra Urges Karnataka to Release More Water Amid Heavy Rainfall

Due to heavy rainfall in western Maharashtra, the state government has requested Karnataka to release more water from Almatti dam to prevent flooding in Sangli and Kolhapur districts. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar emphasized the need to increase discharge to three lakh cusecs to avoid further agricultural and citizen losses.

In response to heavy rainfall in parts of western Maharashtra, the state government has urged Karnataka to release more water from Almatti dam to avoid flooding in Sangli and Kolhapur districts, according to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday.

Almatti dam, officially known as Lal Bahadur Shastri dam, is a hydroelectric project on the Krishna river in north Karnataka. Speaking to reporters, Pawar stated that the Maharashtra government requested an increase in water discharge from Almatti dam to three lakh cusecs from the current outflow of 2.5 lakh cusecs. The water storage of Koyna dam in Maharashtra's Satara district increased by six thousand million cubic feet (TMC) in a very short period and is already 75 percent filled, highlighting the need for immediate action.

Mahabaleshwar, a high point in the Western Ghats in Satara, experienced over 400mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, significantly contributing to the Koyna dam's storage. The overflow could lead to serious flooding in Sangli and Kolhapur if not managed properly. The water resources department also needs to release around 11,000 cusecs from Warna dam in Kolhapur, which could further elevate the risk of flooding. Recent data from the state relief and disaster management department reveals that previous floods in Sangli and Kolhapur have resulted in numerous fatalities and substantial agricultural losses.

(With inputs from agencies.)