CONTROL WATER RELEASE FROM ALMATTI DAM: STATE TO K’TAKA

MUMBAI: Maharashtra and Karnataka Governors — Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Thawar Chand Gehlot -- discussed disputed issues related to border areas of both the states at a joint meeting held in Kolhapur on Friday.

Maharashtra requested controlled release of water from Almatti Dam in Karnataka to avoid rise in water level of the Krishna river, as it leads to floods in at least three districts, Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur, every year.

The meeting was organised by the Governor’s Secretariat, following general instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office on the need for “Jan Bhagidari” of Governors.

“As decided in the inter-state meeting held on June 26, 2020, the water level in Almatti Dam should be between 517.00-metre and 517.50-metre every year till August 15 to effectively drain out floodwater from Krishna river and reduce the impact of floods in Maharashtra,” Rahul Rekhawar, Kolhapur district collector, said at the meeting.

Almatti dam in Karnataka is built on the Krishna river that flows through Western Maharashtra.

Rekhawar also emphasised that the Kitwade project, having a capacity of 3.10 TMC in the Ghataprabha sub-basin of the Krishna river, is beneficial for both the states and can be taken up as an inter-state endeavour.