Cauvery Basin Deluge Triggers Massive Inflow into KRS and Kabini Reservoirs; Authorities Warn Riverbank Residents as Water Release Begins
Mysuru: The monsoon has arrived with thunderous might, and its impact is now dramatically visible. The Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam, considered the lifeline of the Old Mysore region, including Mandya and Mysuru, has seen its water level surge past 101 feet, thanks to unrelenting rains pounding the Cauvery basin for nearly a week.
Within just five to six days of the monsoon entering Karnataka, heavy downpours in the Cauvery river basin of Wayanad (Kerala) and Kodagu (Karnataka) have triggered an alarming rise in inflows into the KRS dam. The lifeblood of South Karnataka, the Cauvery River, is now roaring across its course, swelling reservoirs and issuing a stern warning to downstream regions.
“Monsoon rains have been raging in the Cauvery basin for the past six or seven days, draining the lifeblood of the Cauvery River and causing it to overflow,” said a senior official from the Water Resources Department.
Kabini Reservoir on the Brink
The Kabini reservoir in H.D. Kote taluk is nearing its full capacity with a dramatic spike in water levels. Against its maximum level of 2,284 feet, the reservoir now holds 2,277.69 feet of water. With an inflow of 18,018 cusecs, the reservoir has already stored 15.74 TMC of water out of its total 19.52 TMC capacity.
In an astonishing development, over 6 TMC of water has been accumulated in just three days. If this trend continues, Kabini is set to overflow in the coming days, potentially forcing officials to release excess water into the river, raising serious flood concerns.
“Kabini has the distinction of being the first reservoir in the entire state to be filled twice a year. The water stored here is crucial for drinking and agricultural needs across Mysore, Bangalore, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar,” said a water management expert.
Flood Alert Issued – Villagers Advised to Evacuate
As the inflow into Kabini rises beyond 18,000 cusecs, authorities have already released 5,000 cusecs of water from the reservoir. With widespread rainfall continuing across the catchment areas, officials warn that more water could be discharged at any moment.
In a strong advisory to residents:
“People living in the Kabini river basin and on both sides of the river must take precautions. Move livestock and property to safer areas immediately,”
warned Engineer Chandrashekar, Executive Officer of the Kabini Reservoir Division, H.D. Kote Taluk.
High Stakes for South Karnataka
The rise in water levels is a double-edged sword, it brings much-needed relief for irrigation and drinking water but also triggers anxiety about potential flash floods. With monsoon patterns expected to intensify, the Old Mysore region remains on high alert, closely monitoring dam levels and rainfall forecasts.
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