Madikeri: Harangi dam in Kodagu currently holds 5.4tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water, over 2tmcft less than during the corresponding period last year. While the monsoon season is over, the dam’s water storage has plummeted, leading to concern among farmers.The dam’s maximum capacity is 8.5tmcft but its water-holding capacity has come down by 2tmcft due to factors such as siltation, officials said.Owing to poor storage, only 50 cusecs have been released into the river and canals since Sept 23.Harangi dam was filled to full capacity following rainfall in its catchment area during the month of Aug. Surplus water was being released into the river. For the past 25 days, following state govt directives and the decision of Irrigation Consultative Committee, water was released into the river for drinking purposes and into the main canal to fill tanks within the dam’s command area.Currently, even though water is being released at a reduced rate of only 50 cusecs, there has been a significant drop in the dam’s storage level. Officials said that the accumulated water would be primarily reserved for drinking purposes in accordance with govt instructions.
