Tunga reservoir in Gajanur in spate after heavy rain

Villagers in fear as boulders on verge of sliding from hillock in Molakalmuru

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Shivamogga

The water level in Tunga reservoir of Gajanur reached its full capacity and is overflowing, thanks to incessant rain in Shivamogga and Tirthahalli taluks. Talking to TNIE, Tippa Naik, assistant executive engineer of the Upper Tunga Project, said on Tuesday that the water inflow into Tunga reservoir was 11,200 cusecs and the outflow was the same. He said whatever quantity of water coming into the reservoir was released as the reservoir reached its maximum level.

"Presently, five crest gates were opened half way and the water inflow came down as compared to the Monday morning inflow. On Monday, seven crest gates were opened," he said.

The reservoir is a tiny one with a storage capacity of 3.24 tmc ft and it reaches its maximum level with a few days of heavy showers. Usually in the Malnad region, monsoon enters the first or second week of June. But this time, the heavy pre-monsoon rain began in the third week of May and early entry of rain in the state witnessed the monsoon setting in the last week of May. This has resulted in heavy showers in Tirthahalli, Koppa and Sringeri areas of Chikkamagaluru taluk.