Krishnarajasagar, the elixir of the farmers in Mandya and Mysore districts, has reached its maximum level for the second time this year.
Following good rains in the catchment areas of the Cauvery river, water levels in the reservoir has peaked at the maximum of 124.80 feet again in the present year. Rains in Bhagamandala, the source of the sacred river in Kodagu district, have filled up the reservoir again.
Cauvery has been kind to the farmers this year. Rains had helped KRS breach 100 feet mark in last July alone. In contrast, the level was at 84 feet during the corresponding period last year.
In the subsequent month of August, water level had reached the peak point. D V Sadananda Gowda, who then had assumed the chief minister’s post had performed the ritual of presenting ‘Bagina’ and worshipping the Cauvery at the KRS dam.
Following this, water was released through the channels for irrigation activities in the command areas under the KRS reservoir, major portion of which lies in Mandya district, the rice bowl of Karnataka. Even afterwards, water level continued to hover around 120 feet, with rains bringing additional flows into the reservoir.
Copious rains in Bhagamandala and other areas of Kodagu district had increased inflow into the reservoir substantially in September, taking the level to almost the maximum level.
This had made the Irrigation Department caution those living in low-lying areas and along the river banks of possible heavy outflow from the reservoir.
After a respite, the catchment areas saw copious rains again during the last week of October. Continuous rains since then have brought bountiful flow into the Cauvery and its tributaries filling up the dam to the brim for the second time this year.
Presently, around 21,000 cusecs of water is flowing into the reservoir, while about 20,000 cusecs are being discharged.
Around the same period last year, the inflow stood around 9,000 cusecs while the level had touched 124.80 feet.
With the reservoir filling up for the second time this year, farmers in the areas irrigated by the Cauvery channels are in a cheerful mood. They are happy that water for their summer crop, chiefly paddy, is assured with abundant flow in the channels.
The rainfall that has fallen during the last few days is also expected to avoid a threat of disease and damage to the crops. Consequently, they hope to raise a good harvest this season as well the next.
