Belagavi: Low rainfall has left the Navilutirth (Renuka Sagar) reservoir with only about 22 tmcft of water, less than 60% of its total storage capacity of 37.7 tmcft, raising concerns over water availability for rabi crops in North Karnataka.
For more details : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/low-rainfall-leaves-navilutirth-reservoir-below-60-capacity-may-jeopardise-rabi-crops/articleshow/133773274.cms
Inflow into the reservoir has stopped following a prolonged dry spell in the Malaprabha River basin. Officials said more than 14 tmcft of the available water is required for drinking purposes, leaving limited scope for irrigation releases.
Nearly 1 tmcft of water was recently released through the Malaprabha Right and Left Bank canals. However, further releases have been stopped as the current schedule has ended.
Farmers have urged authorities to prioritise water supply for rabi crops. Officials said continued rainfall this month could improve the reservoir’s storage and allow further releases.
The reservoir is a major source of drinking water for villages and towns in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag and Bagalkot districts and provides irrigation to nearly 1.9 lakh acres.
Last year, the reservoir had reached full capacity by the first week of September following abundant rainfall, allowing more than 20 tmcft of water to be released for rabi irrigation between October 2025 and February 2026.
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