Reservoirs in Cauvery basin filling up fast

Incessant rains in the catchment areas during the last 3-4 days have upped the storage levels in the three major reservoirs of the Cauvery basin.

Taking the levels to almost the maximum capacity, the increased inflow into these reservoirs and the consequent filling up have brought cheer to farmers and relief to the BJP-led government.

As rains took a prolonged break, apprehension rose over the levels in the reservoirs. However, it has rained almost all the last 10 days in Mysore district, taking the rainfall average to 97 per cent of the normal. The rainfall until August 11 is 453.6 mm against the normal of 466.9 until August-end. Last year, the district had seen excess rainfall than the normal, 505.9 against 466.9.

“As the rains did not fall in time, we took precaution not to release water to irrigation canals, so that if rains continued to fail, the levels in the reservoirs might suffer during the cropping season. We, therefore, released water to replenish tanks only.”

“However, a review of the previous rainfall records had shown that late rains could occur in August. There have been good rains in the catchment areas, resulting in better levels. Water is being therefore released in the canals from the three reservoirs,” an irrigation department official told Business Standard today.

The levels in the reservoirs stood as follows at 7 am today: KRS — 121 feet (maximum level 124.80), inflow 38,798, outflow 4,157 cusecs. Kabini — 2283.30 feet (2284), inflow 26,519 cusecs, outflow 23,417 cusecs. Harangi — 2,857.57 feet (2859), inflow 9,670, outflow 10,738. The levels on the same day last year were: KRS — 124.80, 92,560 and 88,706. Kabini — 2283.14, 35,243 and 30,798. Harangi — 2858.81, 11,658 and 5,713.

As can be seen from last year figures, the three Cauvery reservoirs had not only reached the maximum levels but water was also flowing down south towards Tamil Nadu in abundant quantities on this day.

Of the seven taluks in Mysore district, Nanjangud (139 per cent), K R Nagar (104) and T Narasipur (102) have seen rainfall more than the normal.

H D Kote has seen the lowest with only 75 per cent, followed by Mysore (82), Hunsur (93) and Periyapatna (98) as of date.

The incessant rains and improved storages have bettered agricultural operations with 58 per cent of the area already taken up for sowing, 2,66,561 hectares against the targeted monsoon crop area of 4,58,460 hectares.

However, only 20 per cent is covered under irrigated areas so far, 23,863 hectares taken up for sowing out of 1,19,930 hectares targeted, an official of the Agricultural Department said.

“The executive engineer, KRS, warned this evening of a flood threat for the people in the low-lying areas of the Cauvery river, under the Krishnarajasagar reservoir. Following the continuous rains in the catchment areas of the Cauvery, and with an expected rise in the inflow, water may be released from the reservoir at any moment, he said warning the people of the low-lying areas of a possible flash flood.”