Bhadra River Water Reaches Gonuru Lake in Chitradurga Taluk After Decades of Waiting

In a historic development for the drought-prone region of Chitradurga, water from the Bhadra Reservoir reached Gonuru Lake in Chitradurga taluk on September 9, 2026. This landmark achievement comes as part of an ongoing trial run under the Upper Bhadra Project, which commenced on September 6 when three TMC of water was released from the project intake point at the Bhadra reservoir in Tarikere taluk. The arrival of river water at Gonuru Lake marks the culmination of a demand pursued by local residents, farmers, and activists for over five decades. Irrigation officials monitored the flow through the newly constructed 114 km Chitradurga branch canal network, inspecting canal embankments, aqueducts, and regulators to ensure structural stability before releasing water into the lake. The event sparked joyful celebrations across villages near Gonuru in Chitradurga taluk. Farmers, civic groups, and local residents gathered near the canal mouth to perform Ganga Puja, offer flowers to the incoming waters, burst firecrackers, and distribute sweets. For a region that has long suffered from chronic rainfall deficits, depleted aquifers, and high fluoride content in groundwater, the entry of Bhadra water provides long-term hope for agricultural sustainability and drinking water security. District In-charge Minister T. Raghumurthy and irrigation officials inspected the site, describing the flow of Bhadra water into Chitradurga taluk as a transformative chapter in the district's rural economy. The trial run will evaluate the canal capacity and fill local waterbodies, paving the way for full-fledged micro-irrigation and groundwater recharge across the region.