Heavy rains boost inflow, cause damages in K'taka

Heavy rainfall in the Wayanad catchment area is increasing the inflow and the consequent outflow from the Kabini reservoir in Mysore. Irrigation Department authorities have issued flood warnings to people living in the low-lying areas.

The Kabini and Varuna Canal Circle Superintendent and Irrigation Engineer K Shivamurthy said, on account of heavy rainfall in the catchment areas, 40,000 cusecs of water was flowing into the Kabini reservoir and the same amount was being released with immediate effect.

The water had touched the brim in the reservoir a few days ago. Against the maximum level of 2,284 feet, the level was 2,282.95 feet on Thursday. Generally, 2-3 feet is maintained below the maximum storage level for the safety of the dam.

Shivamurthy has warned people on the banks of the downstream Kabini river to move to safer places.

As the water level has reached the maximum, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will offer 'Bagina' to the Kabini waters at the reservoir in H D Kote taluk on July 6 at 1 pm. He will proceed to H D Kote after attending Tibetans' spiritual leader Dalai Lama's 78th birthday celebrations at Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement area in Periyapatna taluk.

At KRS, the water level stood at 99.40 feet against the maximum of 124.80 ft and inflow of water was 44,172 cusecs, on Friday.

Harangi in Kodagu district was the first reservoir in the Cauvery basin to fill up. Excess water is already being released from that reservoir from July 1.

Its maximum storage level is 2,859 ft and the level is being maintained around 2,857 ft. Harangi irrigates 134,895 acres in Periyapatna, Hunsur and K R Nagar taluks and Arakalagudu taluk of Hassan district, besides Kodagu. Water released from the reservoir joins the Cauvery and reaches KRS augmenting inflow into the reservoir.

Heavy rains in Kodagu has affected normal activities in the district. Holidays have been declared to schools and colleges. Pilgrims were stuck at Bhagamandala for over an hour on Wednesday. Besides landslides, damage to property is reported in some places. The loss is estimated at Rs 3.65 crore. Roads and bridges have been damaged and over 40 houses have collapsed at various places in the district.

Consequent to heavy rains in these catchment areas, water level is also rising in Krishnarajasagar reservoir. The water level stood at 93.3 ft on Thursday compared to 73.8 ft on this day last year. Inflow of water to the reservoir was at 13,755 cusecs and outflow was 1,489 cusecs. The inflow is expected to rise further.

Mysore and neighbouring taluks too are experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall.

Heavy rains are also reported in ghat sections in Malnad areas affecting pilgrims proceeding to religious places like Dharmasthala and Subramanya from Mysore and other places. Flash floods in coastal areas have taken a toll of five persons.