Deficit rainfall from the weak southwest monsoon has sharply depleted water levels across Malnad reservoirs, with critically low inflows threatening hydroelectric power generation in the coming weeks.

Linganamakki Dam

The situation at Linganamakki Dam, a major hydropower facility in the Sharavathi Valley, underscores the severity of the crisis. As of Wednesday, the water level stood at 532.17 metres against the full reservoir level (FRL) of 554.43 metres, representing only 10 per cent capacity. The cumulative inflow since June 1 totalled just 2 TMC (thousand million cubic feet), with an energy generation potential of 452 million units (MU).

By comparison, on the same date last year, the water level was at 541.45 metres (32 per cent capacity), the month’s cumulative inflow was 27 TMC, and available energy content stood at 1,479 MU—more than three times the current level.

Water levels in the Tunga and Bhadra reservoirs have fallen steeply. The Bhadra reservoir at Lakkavalli in Tarikere taluk held a gross storage of 24.67 TMC against its gross capacity of 71.54 TMC as of Wednesday. Last year on the same date, gross storage was 37.16 TMC—significantly higher. The water level stood at 2,108.64 feet against the FRL of 2,158.64 feet.

The Tunga reservoir at Gajanur near Shivamogga had a gross storage of 2.876 TMC against its gross capacity of 3.24 TMC. The water level was 587.58 metres against the FRL of 588.24 metres.

Inflows into all three reservoirs have collapsed. Bhadra received an inflow of just 361 cubic feet per second (cusecs) on Wednesday, compared to 10,933 cusecs on the same date last year. Tunga’s inflow was 323 cusecs against 20,143 cusecs last year. Linganamakki’s inflow of 1,189 cusecs was negligible against the corresponding 29,784 cusecs from the previous year. These figures highlight the deficit rainfall.

Rainfall deficits are severe across the region. Shivamogga district received only 116 mm of rainfall in June (up to June 24) against the normal of 346 mm, registering a departure from normal of minus 67 per cent. In Chikkamagaluru, the deficit was minus 58 per cent, with the district recording 38 mm against a normal of 92 mm. Hassan fared marginally better but still recorded a deficit, receiving 74 mm against the normal of 125 mm, a departure of minus 41 per cent.

Farmers across the Malnad region who began cultivation following May’s pre-monsoon rains are grappling with severe crop stress. In Ayanur and Holehonnur of Shivamogga taluk, parts of Shiralakoppa in Shikaripur, many farmers who opted for maize cultivation are confronting crop failure as rainfall deficit has stunted plant growth and left fields barren.

Mahendrappa, a farmer at Ayanur, invested approximately ₹2 lakh to cultivate maize on his eight-acre farm, with expenses spanning seeds, fertiliser, labour, and land preparation. “The plants have not grown as expected. With hardly any rainfall after I planted, I doubt I will recover my investment,” he said. The financial loss is compounded by the collapsed inflow into reservoirs, which means irrigation support is unlikely in the coming weeks.