With inflow rising further by over 5,000 cusecs in the last 24 hours, the water level in the Krishnarajasagar reservoir in Mandya district has reached a level of 106.42 feet today, about 18 feet short of its maximum level of 124.80 feet.
In the last 24 hours, the level has risen two feet. The inflow into the reservoir of the main dam across the Cauvery has increased to 25,174 cusecs, while it was 19,715 cusecs yesterday. The outflow from the reservoir is more or less at the same quantum as yesterday. It was 3,980 cusecs as against 3,818 cusecs yesterday.
Heavy downpour in the catchment areas for the last few days has resulted in the increased inflow into the reservoirs on river Cauvery and its tributaries, bringing cheer among the farmers who were concerned over the inadequate rainfall during the last few weeks.
While two of its reservoirs, Kabini and Harangi, are already full, the major reservoir Krishnarajasagar is heading towards its full level. However, water level is being maintained in Kabini and Harangi reservoirs about 3-4 feet below the maximum level for safety reasons.
Water flow into Kabini has gone up to 23,839 cusecs today from 22,075 cusecs yesterday, while the discharge of water towards Tamil Nadu has been raised to 27,375 cusecs against 22,541 cusecs outflow yesterday. The maximum level of Kabini, a tributary to the Cauvery which generally fills up first, is 2,284 feet, while water level was maintained about four feet below that.
In Harangi too, the level was maintained a little over 2 feet less than its maximum level of 2,859 feet. The water level this morning was at 2,856.56 feet. The inflow, which was 6,135 cusecs yesterday, had risen to 9,960 cusecs while the discharge was 5,100 cusecs this morning.
Water spread at scenic spots like Ramanathapura, on the banks of the Cauvery, and surroundings and the brimming canals in K R Nagar taluk have made these places more attractive, Farmers have turned busy with their agricultural operations. Cauvery helps irrigate around 35,000 acres in this taluk. Heavy rains in the catchment areas of Kodagu have flooded the confluence of three rivers at Bhagamandala. Vehicular movement has stopped as water is overflowing on the road.
In view of continous heavy rains, the inflow into the three reservoirs are likely to further rise in the next few days.
