Hans News Service Ballari

After weeks of anxiety over dwindling water levels, the Tungabhadra Dam has finally begun receiving substantial inflows, bringing much-needed relief to thousands of farmers across north Karnataka. Continuous heavy rainfall in the Malnad catchment has significantly improved the reservoir’s inflow, raising hopes for irrigation and drinking water security in the region. The Tungabhadra reservoir is regarded as the lifeline for the drought-prone districts of Ballari, Vijayanagara, Koppal and Raichur, supporting agriculture across vast stretches of land.

Officials said the reservoir received nearly 4.110 TMC of water during the last 24 hours, marking the first major surge of the monsoon season. The dam, which has a gross storage capacity of 105.788 TMC, currently holds 17.511 TMC of water. Inflow has risen to 49,728 cusecs, while only 180 cusecs is being released through canals to meet drinking water and other essential requirements. The sharp increase in inflow comes after an unusually dry start to the southwest monsoon that had left the reservoir almost depleted and raised concerns over irrigation for the upcoming kharif season. Heavy rains across the Western Ghats and Malnad region over the past week have dramatically changed the situation, with streams and rivers feeding the reservoir at a rapid pace.

Despite the encouraging inflows, water storage remains significantly lowerthan last year. On the corresponding date in 2025, the reservoir contained 77.343 TMC of water, compared with the present storage of 17.511 TMC. The prolonged rainfall deficit during June had severely affected reservoir levels across Karnataka before the recent spell of widespread monsoon showers. Irrigation officials are optimistic that if the current inflow continues for the next several days, the reservoir level will rise steadily, ensuring adequate water for irrigation, drinking purposes and industrial needs. Farmers in Ballari, Vijayanagara, Koppal and Raichur districts, who depend heavily on Tungabhadra waters for cultivation, have welcomed the development after weeks of uncertainty.

Authorities will continue to monitor inflows closely as the southwest monsoon gathers momentum across the catchment. With forecasts indicating further rainfall in the upper reaches, the reservoir is expected to witness additional gains in storage, offering renewed hope for agriculture and easing concerns over water availability in the coming months.