23rd and 24th June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

23rd June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC)

1. History and Evolution

• Origin: KSNDMC traces its roots to the Drought Monitoring Cell (DMC), established in 1988 as an institutional mechanism under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka. It was the first such initiative in India aimed at addressing drought-related challenges.

• Renaming and Expansion: In 2007, the DMC was renamed the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre to broaden its scope beyond drought to include other natural disasters like floods, landslides, earthquakes, and extreme weather events.

• KSNDMC operates under the Department of Revenue (Disaster Management), Government of Karnataka.

  
  

2. Objectives

• Monitoring Natural Disasters: Tracking weather-related and geophysical events such as rainfall, droughts, floods, lightning, hailstorms, cyclones, and earthquakes in near-real-time.

• Early Warning Systems: Issuing forecasts, alerts, and advisories to enable proactive decision-making by government officials and communities.

• Data-Driven Governance: Providing scientific inputs to state and local authorities for planning and executing disaster management strategies.

• Public Awareness: Disseminating weather and disaster-related information to the general public to enhance community resilience.

• Research and Innovation: Developing innovative tools and models for disaster monitoring and forecasting, tailored to Karnataka’s diverse geography.

  
  

3. Infrastructure and Technology

a. Weather Monitoring Network

KSNDMC operates one of the densest weather monitoring networks in India, comprising:

• 747 Solar-Powered GPRS-Enabled Telemetric Weather Stations at the Hobli level (sub-taluk administrative units).

• 5,625 Telemetric Rain Gauge Stations at the Gram Panchayat level, covering every rural administrative unit in Karnataka.

Data Collection: These stations collect data every 15 minutes on parameters such as:

• Rainfall (intensity and amount)

• Temperature

• Relative Humidity

• Wind Speed and Direction

Real-Time Analysis: The near-real-time data is analyzed to generate maps, reports, and alerts, enabling micro-level disaster management planning.

b. Meso-Scale Weather Forecasting

• KSNDMC has developed meso-scale weather forecasting models with high spatial resolution, matching the density of its monitoring network.

• These models provide localized forecasts, improving the accuracy of predictions for specific regions, taluks, and hoblis.

c. State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC)

KSNDMC hosts a State Emergency Operations Centre equipped with advanced technology, including:

• Video-wall displays

• Communication and audio-video conferencing equipment

• Aesthetically designed conference rooms for coordination during crises.

The SEOC serves as a hub for disaster response coordination, integrating data from various sources to support decision-making.

d. Seismic Monitoring

• KSNDMC has installed seismic equipment across Karnataka to monitor earthquakes and provide early warnings.

• A permanent Seismological Observatory is operational at Sharanasirasgi, Kalaburagi, to enhance geophysical disaster monitoring.

e. Sensor Systems for Flood Monitoring

• KSNDMC deploys telemetric water level sensors in smart cities and flood-prone areas to monitor water levels in real-time.

f. Mobile Applications and Digital Platforms

• KSNDMC has developed Android apps to disseminate disaster-related information to the public and officials.

• The Varuna Mitra platform (described below) serves as a key digital interface for public engagement.

Remaining Sodium Vapour Lamps (SVLs) to be replaced with LEDs in Bengaluru

• 44% of Bengaluru’s street lights already using LED bulbs

• However, due to 56% SVLs, city’s monthly power bill remains ₹25 crore.

• If remaining SVLs are replaced with LEDs, then the power bill will reduce by 50%.

Lakes in Shivamogga will be developed to attract tourists:

• By - Tourism and the Minor Irrigation Departments

• Water and adventure sports will be offered - Boating, Rafting, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing etc.

• Lakes include - Balligavi Basavannana Kere, Doopadahalli Doddakere, Talagunda Hirekere, all from Shikaripur taluk; Keladi Kere from Sagar taluk; Kubaturu Kere in Sorab taluk; Humcha Mutthina Kere in Hosanagar taluk, and Gopishetty Koppa Doddakere in Shivamogga taluk.

  
  

Challenges:

• Single use plastic pollution by tourists

• Water pollution

• Harm to fish

Other steps to promote tourism:

• Minor irrigation and tourism departments are promoting water sports in reservoirs like Kanva reservoir, Vani Vilas Sagar, Kabini, and even the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir.

• Beaches - Tannirbavi beach in Dakshina Kannada district and Maravanthe beach in Udupi district are being developed for water sports.

There were reports of water seepage from Kabini Reservoir

Dam Safety Architecture in India and Karnataka

India ranks third globally with over 6,281 large dams, many of which are aging and face challenges due to erratic rainfall, poor maintenance, and outdated designs. Karnataka, with dams like Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) and Almatti, is a key participant in national dam safety initiatives. Below is a detailed overview:

National Dam Safety Architecture

Regulatory Framework:

• Dam Safety Act, 2021: Notified on December 14, 2021, this act provides a comprehensive framework for dam safety across India. It mandates the establishment of:

• National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS): Oversees policy formulation and coordination.

• State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs): Monitor and inspect dams at the state level.

• National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): Ensures compliance and coordinates interstate issues.

The act emphasizes risk-based safety assessments, emergency action plans (EAPs), and regular inspections.

Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP):

• Initiated in 2012 with World Bank support, DRIP is one of the world’s largest dam rehabilitation programs, covering over 736 dams across 19 states, including Karnataka.

Objectives:

• Physical rehabilitation of dams (e.g., strengthening structures, upgrading spillways).

• Development of EAPs and operation & maintenance (O&M) manuals.

• Capacity building through training programs and international collaborations.

Achievements:

• By 2025, over 200 dams have been upgraded nationwide.

• DRIP Phase II and III (approved in 2020) focus on 736 dams, with a budget of approximately ₹10,211 crore.

• The program won the World Water Awards 2024-25 for excellence in dam safety.

Innovative Tools:

• DHARMA Software: A web-based asset management tool for collecting and managing dam health data.

• Use of underwater drones, geomembranes, and CCTV systems for monitoring.

Technical and Research Support:

• International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED): Established through agreements with IIT Roorkee (2023) and IISc Bengaluru (2024) under DRIP to advance dam safety research and training.

• Guidelines and manuals developed by experts for risk assessment, flood routing, and reservoir management.

• Training programs, such as those on “Dam Instrumentation and Monitoring” and “Financial Management,” are conducted annually.

Monitoring and Technology:

• Real-time monitoring systems, including satellite deformation measurements and forecasting tools like Delft-FEWS, are being integrated.

• Risk-based safety analyses and quantitative risk estimation are applied to prioritize rehabilitation efforts.

• Pre- and post-monsoon inspections are mandatory to assess dam conditions.

Key Issues Facing Safety of Dams in Karnataka

Aging Infrastructure:

• Many dams, such as the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam (built 1911–1932), are over a century old. Manual gate operations, seepage, and structural wear pose safety risks. For instance, KRS relied on manual lifting of 152 iron gates, which was hazardous during floods.

Climatic Variability and Monsoon Dependence:

• Karnataka’s dams are heavily dependent on monsoon rainfall, which has become erratic due to climate change. In 2023, reservoirs were only 29% full compared to 45% in 2022, with KRS, Bhadra, and Narayanpur dams 30% below their decade-average levels. In contrast, 2024 saw excess monsoon rainfall (15% above normal in southwest monsoon, 30% in northeast monsoon), leading to near-full reservoirs but also flood risks.

Structural Failures and Maintenance Issues:

• Incidents like the Tungabhadra Dam crest gate failure in August 2024, where a chain snap led to the release of 250,000 cusecs of water, highlight maintenance gaps.

Flood Management and Overcapacity:

• Heavy rainfall in 2024 and 2025 filled dams like KRS, Kabini, Hemavathi, and Harangi to near or full capacity, triggering flood alerts. In June 2025, KRS reached full capacity, prompting the release of 15,000–30,000 cusecs into the Cauvery River, raising flood risks in Mandya. Similarly, Hemavathi Dam issued a flood warning in June 2025 due to rising water levels.

24th June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

Indira Food Kit:

• It will replace the extra 5 kg of rice provided under the Anna Bhagya scheme for Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card holders.

• Why? Many People are selling the rice they receive under the Anna Bhagya scheme in the open market. Further, Only tie will be not sufficient to provide all the essential nutrients. The kit will contain variety of items.

• The proposed food kits are expected to include daily essentials such as:

  • Sugar

  • Salt

  • Toor dal (pigeon peas)

  • Cooking oil

  • Coffee powder

  • Tea powder

  • Wheat

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