Karnataka Should Not Raise the Height of Almatti Dam – Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

CM Urges Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil to Intervene via Official Letter

Mumbai : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has written a detailed letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, urging him to instruct the Karnataka government not to raise the height of the Almatti Dam on the Krishna River. He warned that raising the reservoir level could seriously affect Sangli, Kolhapur, and other Krishna river basin areas in Maharashtra.

In his letter, CM Fadnavis expressed concern that increasing the height of the Almatti Dam would worsen flooding, particularly due to backwater effects, silt accumulation, and construction of barrages. He conveyed the suffering and concerns of the local population affected by these recurring floods.

The Maharashtra government has commissioned the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, to conduct a detailed simulation and hydrodynamic study to assess the flood risks from the backwaters of Almatti Dam. Since the final report of this study is yet to be received, CM Fadnavis emphasized that raising the dam height before the report is released would be premature and unwise.

The Karnataka government’s decision to raise the Almatti Dam’s reservoir level from 519.6 meters to 524.256 meters is deeply troubling, CM Fadnavis noted. Such an increase would aggravate the annual flood situation in Sangli and Kolhapur, worsening the hardships faced by residents.

He further explained that due to Almatti Dam’s water retention, siltation in the Krishna River and its tributaries has significantly increased, reducing their water-carrying capacity. Consequently, floodwaters recede slowly, and barrages along the river are also filling up with silt, worsening the situation.

Raising the dam height by six meters would result in sustained high water levels in the Krishna River, which could lead to more severe and prolonged flooding, affecting thousands of people and fertile agricultural lands in Maharashtra.

Given the potential consequences, CM Fadnavis requested the Union Minister to intervene and direct the Karnataka government to reconsider its decision. He urged that in the interest of citizen safety, livelihoods, and the protection of life and property along both states’ Krishna River belts, the dam height should not be raised at this time.