CH NEWS, DAVANAGERE
Authorities commenced the release of water from the Bhadra Reservoir at midnight on September 17 to mitigate drinking water scarcity and support command (achukattu) areas, Davanagere MP Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun announced.
Following representations from local farmers and residents, District In-charge Minister S.S. Mallikarjun consulted with Water Resources Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy to facilitate the scheduled discharge. Water will be channeled continuously until October 2 through the Bhadra Right Bank, Left Bank, Gondi channel, and associated distributary networks.
The decision serves as a precautionary intervention following deficient rainfall across August and September, which depleted regional water reserves. The discharge will replenish village tanks, bunds, and percolation ponds, thereby recharging sinking groundwater tables across the basin.
Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun urged the public and agrarian communities to utilize the released water strictly for essential drinking and livestock needs, cautioning strictly against unauthorized irrigation pumping. She also appealed to residents living near canals to observe safety precautions and adhere to Irrigation Department regulations.