Kolhapur: The Sangli irrigation department has imposed a ban on lifting water released from the Koyna dam for purposes other than drinking. The live water storage in the Koyna dam has dropped to 10.29 TMC (10.28% of capacity), while the gross storage has fallen to 15.41 TMC (14.64%) of the total 105 TMC storage capacity.
Details of the Ban
Seema Mohite, executive engineer of the Sangli irrigation department, stated that the ban on water lifting will be effective between the Koyna dam and the Haripur limit in Sangli, as per the provisions of Section 11 and 49 of the Maharashtra Irrigation Act, 1976. The ban will remain in force until midnight on June 7. Further planning will be made based on the prevailing situation.
The official added that if water is extracted from the Krishna River for any purpose other than drinking water supply (private) during this period, such extraction will be considered unauthorized. Consequences include suspension of the water license and electricity supply for one year, confiscation of extraction equipment, and further legal action.
Advisory to Irrigation Users
Considering the limited water storage in the dam, irrigation water users are advised not to pollute the water storage by discharging sewage or industrial water into the river. Since there is no additional water storage available to carry away polluted water, all concerned should take precautions and cooperate to avoid water wastage.
Similar Ban in Kolhapur District
On similar lines, the irrigation department in Kolhapur has imposed a ban on lifting water from the Panchaganga, Bhogavati, Kumbhi, and Kasari rivers in Kolhapur district from Friday midnight until June 9. Further decisions will be taken as per the prevailing situation.
Residents are urged to comply with the restrictions to ensure adequate drinking water supply during the dry period.
