Four major dams filling up

By S.Bharath Kumar

MYSORE, AUG. 26. The four major reservoirs in the Cauvery Basin are likely to attain their maximum water levels thanks to incessant rain in the last couple of days.

Discharge from the Kabini Reservoir has caused flooding in Nanjungud. Small shops on the roadside, huts and the Rama Temple have been inundated, and people were seen shifting to safe places. Agricultural land adjoining the main road near the temple has been flooded and the bathing ghat, which is also in the vicinity of the shrine, has been cordoned off. The inflow into the reservoir on Saturday was 32,882 cusecs, and the water level was at the maximum of 2,285 feet.

The irrigation authorities, who have adopted a water management strategy, are releasing water into the left and right bank canals of the Kabini reservoir. Official sources say that a red alert has been sounded asking people downstream of the reservoir to move to safe places.

The waters of the Kapila river has inundated the Mysore-Nanjungud Road. Vehicles were being diverted at the Mallana Moole Math.

The K.R.Sagar Reservoir recorded good inflow in the last 72 hours. The water level in the reservoir was 120 feet as against the maximum of 124.80 feet. Following heavy rain in the catchment area of Bhagmandala in Kodagu District in the last couple of days, the reservoir recorded an inflow of 37,290 cusecs. The outflow was 858 cusecs. Bhagamandala, the origin of the Cauvery, has received a rainfall of 4,093 mm. this year. On Saturday, it recorded 146.4 mm. rain.

Official sources say that the Harangi and Hemavathy reservoirs have also recorded good inflows.

Sources say that as the water level in the K.R.Sagar reservoir is nearing the maximum, 2,800 cusecs of water has been released into the Visvesvaraya Canal.

There has been heavy rain in Kodagu District. While Madikeri taluk has received 2729.9 mm. rain this year, Somwarpet taluk has recorded 1,797.8 mm and Virajpet taluk 1,647.7 mm. Sources say these exceed the figures for the corresponding period last year. More heavy rainfall has been forecast in the three taluks in the next few days, according to sources.

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Section  : Southern States
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