A red alert has been sounded in Bellary district as the water level in Tungabhadra reservoir has touched the maximum level of 1633 feet. With the inflow crossing 125,000 cusecs, Tungabhadra reservoir authorities had increased the release to 103,000 cusecs with all the 33 crest gates opened.
People living downstream the reservoir sounded an alert as the release was expected to go up by Sunday afternoon to touch 145,000 cusecs. It may cross 200,000 cusecs by late Sunday evening, sources said.
Due to the heavy rains at the catchment area since the last two days, the inflow to the reservoir has increased considerably, forcing authorities to release more water.
According to reports reaching from Gulbarga, the flood situation continued to be grim. Both rivers, Krishna and Bhima, are on spate along with their tributaries, where 25 villages were submerged.