Karwar, 2 Sept 

With the Supa reservoir in Karwar taluk just six metres short of reaching its brim, the Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) has appealed to people residing in the low-lying areas of the Kali river to move to safe locations. Officials said that water could be released from the dam at any moment. 

As of 8.30am on Tuesday, the 147.55 tmcft capacitor reservoir held 126.345 tmcft of water, with heavy rain forecast over its catchment areas. With heavy rains lashing the catchment area and an inflow of 21,261 cusecs, the water level rose to 558.87 metres, close to the maximum 564 metres.

As the catchment area of the dam, as well as the river area, were getting heavy rains since the commencement of the monsoon, the 147.55 tmcft capacitor reservoir was 126.345 tmcft of water at 8.30am on Tuesday. With an inflow of 21,261 cusecs of water, the water level in the dam reached 558.87 metres against its capacity of 564.00 metres.

KPCL, which generates hydropower from the dam, said the release of water was necessary both for safety and operational reasons. People living in low-lying areas and riverbanks have been urged not to venture near the storage areas, as flash floods are possible.

The Supa reservoir, located in dense forestry of the Uttara Kannada district, is the State’s largest storage reservoir.