The Hemavathi reservoir in Goruru, Hassan district, has reached a critical water level due to continuous and heavy rains in the catchment areas, prompting dam authorities to issue a high alert to residents living downstream. The Superintending Engineer of the Hemavathi Project, G.K. Jyothi, confirmed that the crest gates of the dam may be opened anytime to release excess inflow and prevent structural risks.

As per the official update on June 18, the water level in the dam had reached 2,911.35 feet, just 10.65 feet below its full capacity of 2,922 feet. The inflow recorded was 19,546 cusecs, a figure that could increase with more rainfall in the coming days.

Public Warning and Emergency Measures

Given the rapid rise in water levels, engineers at the Hemavathi dam have issued a public warning, especially to those residing near the riverbanks downstream of the dam. G.K. Jyothi has appealed to people in low-lying areas to move to safer places immediately.

The tahsildars and Revenue Department officers in the region have also been instructed to alert the public, conduct evacuation measures if necessary, and prevent any casualties. The administration is focusing on prevention and preparedness, ensuring communication reaches villages that could be affected in the event of a sudden water release.

Dam Operation Protocol and Rain Impact

The Hemavathi dam, built across the Hemavathi River, is one of the major irrigation reservoirs in Karnataka. It plays a vital role in supplying irrigation and drinking water to various districts including Hassan, Mandya and parts of Tumakuru.

When the water level crosses 2,911 ft, standard operating procedures demand close monitoring. Gate operations are triggered not only based on capacity, but also on rainfall trends and inflow forecasts.

This year, Karnataka’s monsoon arrived ahead of schedule, and rainfall in the Western Ghats and catchment areas of the Hemavathi River has been intense and continuous over the last one week. Meteorological reports predict more rains in the coming days, which may cause additional pressure on reservoir levels.

Safety Measures for Residents

The district administration has swung into action by deploying disaster response teams, alerting local police, panchayat officials, and health officers to coordinate efforts if evacuation is required. Loudspeaker announcements, mobile SMS alerts, and ward-wise visits are being carried out to ensure that people near the Hemavathi River and its tributaries are aware of the risks.

Farmers in nearby villages have been advised to move their cattle and harvest any remaining crops quickly to minimise loss in case of water release. Several educational institutions near flood-prone zones have been advised to shift to online mode temporarily if needed.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have set up a 24x7 control room for updates and coordination. The public can contact the Hassan district helpline in case of emergencies or to report water movement.

Rainfall Patterns and Long-Term Impact

The recent heavy monsoon in Karnataka has had dual implications. On the one hand, it has revived many reservoirs and brought relief to drought-prone regions like Kolar and Chikkaballapur. On the other, it has increased the flood risk in coastal and riverine districts.

In the Hemavathi basin, above-normal rainfall is expected to continue. This trend is consistent with IMD’s forecast of a wetter-than-average monsoon in South Interior Karnataka for 2025. While this benefits irrigation and power generation, it requires careful dam management and timely public alerts to avoid disasters.

Experts have also pointed to the need for real-time dam surveillance systems and automated gate controls to ensure precision in discharge decisions, especially when inflow changes dramatically within hours.

Role of Dam Authorities

The Hemavathi Project Engineers, led by G.K. Jyothi, have been proactive in issuing alerts before water levels reach the tipping point. This approach is in line with dam safety guidelines, which mandate early warnings to prevent sudden floods that could displace or harm people.

The Reservoir Operation Manual recommends that alerts should be given 12 to 24 hours in advance, depending on rain projections. The public announcement on June 18 by Jyothi was made to pre-empt such emergencies and initiate preparedness in the region.

She has also urged the Revenue Department to work in coordination with local panchayats to make safe shelters ready, especially in Goruru and neighbouring villages.

Conclusion

The Hemavathi dam situation underscores the importance of preparedness and public awareness during the monsoon season. With the water level rising swiftly, the possibility of shutters opening is imminent, and residents near the river must take all precautions.

Thanks to the timely alerts issued by the Superintending Engineer and support from local administration, the region is now in readiness mode. Still, the public is urged to stay updated, follow instructions from authorities, and avoid venturing close to riverbanks.

As Karnataka experiences the full impact of the monsoon, this incident serves as a reminder that climate resilience, infrastructure planning, and community readiness must go hand-in-hand to prevent avoidable disasters.

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