Mah, Karnataka govts responsible for 2005 floods: Committee

Kolhapur, Dec 24 (UNI) An experts and citizens committee, led by social activist Medha Patkar, has charged that the Almatti dam back-water-effect and large volumes of water released from dams in Krishna valley were the main causes of loss of lives and property in Sangli, Kolhapur and parts of Karnataka during the 2005 floods.

Ms Patkar and committee members, Dr Mukund Ghare, Vijay Paranjpye and Satish Bhingare, while addressing a press conference here today alleged that the Maharashtra and Karnataka government were responsible for the 2005 floods as they had failed to abide by the Central Water Commission norms and conditions regarding water storage and its release.

The committee, in its report, mentioned 14 conclusions including the back-water-effect of the Almatti dam. The report alleges that the flood situation further worsened due to intense and incessant precipitation in the free-draining areas, downstream of some dams.

Heavy rains in June and July led to a situation where the storage capacities of all dams in Satara and Kolhapur districts were filled up as early as July 25, 2005, hence irrigation department had to release large volumes of water from July 26, they pointed out.

The pre-monsoon reservoir of the dams were filled in excess to the stipulated 10 per cent of the storage capacity, they stated and pointed out that the city commissioner and the city survey office failed to enforce the provisions related to the prohibitive and restrictive zones.

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