Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 1 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has requested Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil’s intervention because the Karnataka authorities plans to lift the peak of the Almatti dam amid a worry of flooding within the state.
In a letter to the Union Minister, CM Fadnavis acknowledged that Karnataka’s proposed plan of elevating the peak of Almatti dam to the Reduced Level (RL) 524.256 meters is a matter of concern for Maharashtra.
He wrote, ‘I wish to deliver your type consideration to Karnataka’s proposed plan of elevating the peak of Almatti dam to RL 524.256, which is a matter of concern for Maharashtra….I sincerely request you to instruct the Government of Karnataka to rethink the plan of elevating the FRL of Almatti Dam.’
The Chief Minister requested Union Minister Patil to intervene to make sure the protection of the individuals dwelling in Sangli and Kolhapur, who’re more likely to be affected by the Karnataka authorities’s transfer.
‘This will significantly assist in defending the livelihood and security of the individuals of Sangli and Kolhapur Districts. Your intervention on this matter would deliver immense reduction to the affected areas. It might be in the most effective curiosity of the communities depending on the Krishna River system in each States,’ Fadnavis wrote.
Highlighting the important thing points, he added that the siltation brought on by the dam delays the recession of floodwaters.
‘Siltation Issues: The impounding of Almatti Dam has led to intensive siltation upstream within the Krishna River and its tributaries. This has adversely affected the river system’s carrying capability, inflicting delays within the recession of floodwaters in Sangli and Kolhapur,’ the Chief Minister wrote.
Mentioning the problem of inadequate waterways, he added, ‘The building of barrages upstream of Almatti Dam with insufficient waterways has compounded siltation and inundation issues. This scenario has additional deteriorated the flood state of affairs in Maharashtra territory.’
Fadnavis acknowledged that Karnataka’s transfer to lift the peak of the dam will worsen the flood circumstances in Sangli and Kolhapur.
‘Impact of Raising FRL to RL 524.256 m: With the river mattress degree on the Maharashtra border being RL 518.00 m, elevating the FRL of Almatti dam will lead to 6 m of standing pool water within the Krishna River. This will severely worsen the flood circumstances in Sangli and Kolhapur districts, affecting 1000’s of residents and agricultural lands,’ he wrote.
According to the Karnataka authorities, the Almatti Dam is a hydroelectric mission on the Krishna River in North Karnataka, India, which was accomplished in July 2005. The goal annual electrical output of the dam is 560 MU (or GWh). The dam serves as the principle reservoir of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project. (ANI)