Mysuru, 4 September

Following Karnataka’s mandated release of water to Tamil Nadu, the water levels in Kabini, Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS), Hemavati and Harangi dams steadily declined. Inflow to the dams have also fallen due to inadequate rainfall in the catchment areas. 

Cauvery Neeravari Nigam officials said 25,762 cusecs was being released downstream from the four reservoirs against a combined inflow of 10,613 cusecs as of Friday morning. The reservoirs held 76.58 TMC ft of water against a capacity of 114.57 TMC ft, or 67 per cent, compared with 113 TMC ft during the corresponding period last year.

Notably, water levels at Kabini stood at 2,269 feet against maximum capacity 2,284 feet, with 11.39 TMC ft available for use against the maximum of 19.46 TMC ft. KRS stood at 108 feet, holding 29.91 TMC ft, at 60 per cent storage.

The decline in water level has raised concern among farming communities in Cauvery river basin districts of Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan and Kodagu, as paddy and other sowing activities have gained momentum after the Karnataka government began releasing water on rotational cycles recently.