In the monsoon season of 2025, a long‑pending proposal to raise the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of Karnataka’s Almatti Dam on the Krishna River—from 519.60 meters to approximately 524.256 meters—has escalated into a full-scale interstate confrontation. While Karnataka insists the move is legally backed and essential for irrigation and power, Maharashtra fears it will significantly increase flood risk for districts like Sangli and Kolhapur.
This conflict also highlights the urgent need for a transparent, science-based, and cooperative framework for water governance in India. As climate change continues to disrupt monsoon patterns and intensify rainfall events, disputes like Almatti are likely to become more frequent and complex. Rather than relying solely on tribunal verdicts or court orders, states must invest in collaborative basin-wide solutions that prioritize sustainability, risk management, and equitable access. The Almatti issue is not just about Karnataka and Maharashtra—it is a litmus test for how India will navigate the growing tension between development and disaster resilience in an era of hydrological uncertainty.
Background: The Almatti Dam & Legal Mandate
The Almatti Dam, officially Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam, was completed in July 2005. It holds a current storage capacity of 123.08 TMC ft at FRL 519 meters. The dam is part of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP), providing hydroelectric generation and irrigation to vast parts of Karnataka.
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) had awarded Karnataka the right to raise the dam’s FRL to approximately 524.256 meters. This move was intended to support the Stage III of the UKP, irrigate nearly one lakh acres, and allow Karnataka to fully utilize its 700 TMC share of the Krishna River waters as per KWDT Scheme A.
Karnataka’s Push for Expansion
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Water Resources Minister, reiterated the state’s legal and technical right to raise the FRL. According to him, the project was approved by the KWDT, and the Central government is yet to issue a gazette notification that has been pending since 2013.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has backed the move, indicating that Karnataka will invoke Section 6(1) of the Inter‑State Water Disputes Act to implement the KWDT ruling if the Centre delays the notification. The project is viewed as a key enabler for drought-prone areas in northern Karnataka and a driver for energy production through hydroelectricity.
Maharashtra’s Objections: Rising Water, Rising Tensions
On August 1, 2025, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sent an urgent letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil, warning against Karnataka’s intent to increase the height of the Almatti Dam. According to Maharashtra, the proposed FRL increase will lead to a six-meter rise in backwater level in the Krishna basin, putting Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara districts at significant flood risk.
Fadnavis stated that districts in southern Maharashtra have witnessed multiple flood events since 2005, often worsened by the water management practices of Karnataka. The fear is that a higher dam would restrict natural outflow, causing the river to back up into Maharashtra territory during the monsoon.
The government of Maharashtra has commissioned the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, to conduct a detailed flood impact study and has requested the Union government to defer any approval for FRL hike until the final report is submitted.
Legal and Political Countermeasures
Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil declared the state’s intention to move the Supreme Court to challenge Karnataka’s decision. An all-party delegation of Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly is being prepared to lobby with central authorities.
Shahu Chhatrapati, a prominent MP from Kolhapur, has been vocal in urging better water release coordination and demanding compliance with Central Water Commission (CWC) protocols. He emphasized the need for scheduled water discharges to prevent flash floods and unmanageable surges downstream.
Temporary Relief and Coordination
Faced with mounting tension and heavy rainfall, authorities from both states held joint meetings in late July. A temporary agreement was reached to cap Almatti’s water level between 517 and 517.5 meters, about two meters below its maximum storage capacity, until mid-August. This was done to reduce flood risk while maintaining functional reservoir operations.
Activists in Maharashtra, including Vishram Kadam and others, have approached the CWC, accusing Karnataka of holding water above buffer levels and warning of impending flood threats in Sangli and Kolhapur. They also called for real-time data sharing and stricter Central oversight.
Monsoon Warnings: Rising Water and Dam Discharges
The month of July saw heavy rains in both Karnataka and Maharashtra, resulting in a surge in Almatti’s inflow levels. Karnataka was compelled to release up to 70,000 cusecs of water from the Almatti Dam via 19 crest gates.
Downstream, the Basavasagar reservoir in Yadgir district saw an outflow of 1.4 lakh cusecs by July 31. With the Krishna River swelling across north Karnataka and central Maharashtra, several low-lying villages in Raichur and Bagalkot districts were placed on high alert.
If the discharge surpasses 2 lakh cusecs, authorities fear flooding could affect thousands in border districts. With dams in both states nearly full, every inch of rainfall increases the potential for disaster.
Karnataka’s Stand: Calling Maharashtra’s Fears “Political”
Industries Minister M. B. Patil of Karnataka has claimed that Maharashtra’s objections are politically motivated. He pointed out that Maharashtra had earlier accepted the KWDT verdict and even participated in discussions on Almatti’s height hike.
D. K. Shivakumar expressed his surprise at Maharashtra’s last-minute objection. He emphasized that Karnataka had already implemented several dam safety upgrades and flood regulation mechanisms. According to him, Maharashtra’s current stance contradicts its past positions and is aimed at gaining political mileage in a pre-election period.
Stakes and Concerns
Karnataka’s Benefits:
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Raising the FRL to 524.256 meters would enhance Almatti’s storage capacity from 123 TMC ft to nearly 200 TMC ft.
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The expansion would benefit over six lakh hectares of agricultural land, mainly in the northern districts.
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Power generation potential through hydropower would significantly improve, lowering reliance on thermal sources.
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Completion of the Upper Krishna Project Stage III is dependent on this elevation.
Maharashtra’s Concerns:
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The Krishna River basin in western Maharashtra is prone to flooding even at current discharge levels.
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A backwater rise of up to six meters could inundate hundreds of villages and damage lakhs of hectares of standing crops.
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The government fears property damage, displacement, and loss of life, especially in Kolhapur and Sangli.
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Urban settlements like Karad and Ichalkaranji are also under threat during extreme rainfall events.
Centre’s Dilemma and the Road Ahead
The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has called for a high-level meeting scheduled for August 4, 2025. Delegations from both states will be present, and the Centre is expected to mediate based on the pending NIH flood study and CWC’s technical evaluations.
The central government must tread a fine line: Karnataka’s water rights under a legally binding tribunal award versus Maharashtra’s public safety concerns. With no gazette notification yet issued, the final word may rest on expert reports and political consensus.
Long-Term Solutions
Experts suggest that instead of focusing solely on dam height, both states should work together on integrated basin management. Suggestions include:
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Setting up a joint Krishna River Basin Authority for real-time flood control.
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Developing automated forecasting systems with satellite and Doppler radar inputs.
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Creating mandatory protocols for pre-monsoon reservoir drawdowns.
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Expanding channel width and dredging in vulnerable river stretches.
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Constructing additional flood buffer reservoirs upstream.
Environmentalists have also proposed a reassessment of dam catchment behavior, especially in light of increased rainfall variability caused by climate change. Without systemic coordination, structural changes like height increases could lead to catastrophic unintended consequences.
Public Sentiment and Ground Realities
On the ground, farmers in Karnataka are hopeful for better irrigation but are concerned about delays and political hurdles. In Maharashtra, residents of flood-hit districts are staging protests and raising alarm on social media about the potential impact of any dam-related decision.
Villagers in Shirol, Miraj, and Karad talukas have formed citizen forums to monitor dam releases and hold elected representatives accountable. Multiple PILs are reportedly being prepared by advocacy groups to prevent the implementation of the FRL hike until full safety assurances are given.
Political Ripples
The controversy has entered the national political stage, with Members of Parliament from both sides demanding central intervention. While Karnataka MPs argue that the state is being denied its fair share, opposition leaders in Maharashtra accuse the BJP-led central government of being lenient toward Karnataka.
The issue may become a flashpoint in upcoming elections in both states, where water security and flood management are becoming central concerns for rural and urban voters alike.
Key Timeline and Facts
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Almatti Dam completed in 2005; current FRL: 519.60 meters
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Proposed new FRL: 524.256 meters
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Legal backing from Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal
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Central gazette notification pending since 2013
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Maharashtra warns of six-meter backwater rise
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August 4: Critical meeting between Union Jal Shakti Ministry and both states
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NIH flood impact study awaited
Conclusion
The Almatti Dam dispute represents more than a technical debate over a reservoir’s height. It is a test of how India manages interstate water sharing, legal mandates, environmental concerns, and the urgent realities of climate-induced rainfall shifts.
As one state seeks progress and irrigation security, the other demands protection from flooding and devastation. What happens in the next few weeks—especially during the August 4 meeting—will shape not only the fate of the Almatti Dam but also the future of cooperative federalism in India’s water governance.
Follow: Karnataka Government
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