Hassan: The Hemavati dam has been full for the first time during July in the history of 30 years. The dam used to be full during August or September every year. However, its owing to torrential rains this year, the dam has been full quite early, bringing joy to everyone. The Bhagini was offered to Hemavati on Thursday July 25, and released 15,000 cusecs of water by opening 6 crest gates.
Addressing the media persons, Hemavati dam chief executive engineer Krishne Gowda said that the dam has been full for the first time during July in the history since 1983. The dam irrigates farmlands in four districts – Hassan, Mandya, Mysore and Tumkur. It irrigates 1.07,480 acres of farmlands in Hassan district. It irrigates 2,27,980 acres of farmlands in Mandya district. It irrigates 5,600 acres of farmlands in Mysore division and 3,14,000 acres of farmland in Tumkur; altogether a total of 6,55,000 acres in 4 districts, said Krishne Gowda.
As the dam is full already, it necessitated releasing excess water, while on the first stage 15,000 cusecs of water has been released, further water will be released depending on inflow in different stages. Ten TMC water was stored during June and 22 TMC water was stored during July. The dam was not fully filled in 30 years – in years of 1985, 1986, 1987, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2012; but rest of the 22 years it was full. The least stored was 2003.
The maximum capacity of dam is 2,922 feet, as it has heavily rained in catchment areas; more water is likely to flow into the dam. The people living along the bank of Hemavati River are shifted to safer places on precautionary measure. The department officers were instructed to take early actions to educate the farmers living along the bank of river and to protect them in case of rising water levels.