Karnataka: Basava Sagar Reservoir Aka Narayanpur Dam At Full Mark As Krishna River Swells After Heavy Rain

Bengaluru: The incessant rains in the Krishna River basin have pushed major reservoirs close to their full capacity, forcing authorities to release large volumes of water. The situation has created a flood-like scenario in parts of Karnataka, cutting off road links and threatening low-lying areas.

Officials confirmed that the Basava Sagara Reservoir, popularly known as the Narayanpur Dam, has received heavy inflows from Maharashtra following days of downpour. With storage levels reaching the danger mark, all 30 gates of the reservoir have been opened. Nearly 1.60 lakh cusecs of water are being released downstream, leading to the submergence of the Sheelhalli and Sheelhalli-Hanchinal bridges. Villages including Kaddaragaddi, Yarigodi and Hanchinal have been cut off from road access.

Water levels in other rivers are also rising sharply. The Bhima River is flowing close to the danger mark, while the Malaprabha basin is experiencing intense rainfall that could add further pressure to the system. Officials are closely monitoring reservoir levels and inflows, warning that the flood situation could worsen if the rains persist.

Reservoirs Under Watch

Authorities have said that inflows into dams across northern Karnataka are expected to rise further as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rains in the coming week. Coastal districts such as Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada are likely to witness extremely heavy showers on August 26, while Bidar, Kalaburagi and Yadgir may face thunderstorms and strong winds.

Bengaluru Outlook

In Bengaluru, dam water concerns are less acute, but the city will see cloudy skies and light rainfall over the next 48 hours. Winds of 40-50 kmph are likely, with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 28°C.

With reservoirs brimming, authorities have urged residents in low-lying areas to remain vigilant as controlled water releases continue.