Navilutirth dam
Belagavi : The Navilutirth dam, also known as the Renuka Sagar reservoir and regarded as North Karnataka’s lifeline, has not even reached 60% of its storage capacity this year, raising concerns over water availability for the upcoming rabi season. More than 20 tmcft of water was subsequently released through the two canals for rabi crops between Oct 2025 and Feb 2026. “At present, only about 22 tmcft of water is available. Of this, more than 14 tmcft will be required for drinking water purposes. Mudigaudar added that nearly 1 tmcft of water had recently been released through the two canals and that the current release schedule ended this week. Constructed between two natural rock formations in 1973, the reservoir has a storage capacity of 37.7 tmcft. It supplies drinking water to select villages and towns in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag and Bagalkot districts and provides irrigation to around 1.9 lakh acres.
Assistant executive engineer Vivek Mudigaudar says the reservoir had filled by the first week of Sept 2025 due to abundant rainfall. Therefore, it will be difficult to release water into the canals for rabi crops,” he said. However, due to inadequate rainfall, we are unable to release more water.
When the reservoir is full, water is released into the Malaprabha Right and Left Bank canals, ensuring irrigation for rabi crops. “Farmers are once again demanding that water be released into the canals. Otherwise, water cannot be released for agriculture,” he cautioned. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
Farmer leader Vijay Kulkarni of Nargund said industrial water allocation might have to be curtailed if storage levels remained low. “However, water must be made available for rabi crops,” he stressed. Inflow into the reservoir has stopped, following a prolonged dry spell in the Malaprabha River basin and forested areas of Khanapur taluk. a failure of the monsoon to continue through this month could leave the reservoir far short of full capacity While further rainfall could improve the situation. If the region receives good rainfall this month, there will be no problem. The reservoir also supplies water to industries. Download the TOI App.
The situation marks a sharp contrast to last year, when the reservoir was full by the first week of Sept, bringing relief to farmers and other dependents.