Date:14/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/14/stories/2008081455250400.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Krishnaraja Sagar Reservoir is full

Staff Correspondent

The inflow into the dam on Wednesday crossed 47,000 cusecs

— Photo: M.A. Sriram

Incredible sight: Following the water-level in the KRS Reservoir touching the maximum level, 35 crest gates were opened to release the excess water into the river.

MYSORE: Thirty-five crest gates of the Krishnaraja Sagar Reservoir, near Mysore, were opened on Wednesday to release excess water into the Cauvery.

With the water-level touching the maximum due to increased inflow into the dam from its catchment area, the dam authorities opened 35 of the 152 flood gates to release 68,000 cusecs of water into the river.

KRS Dam Executive Engineer Vijay Kumar told The Hindu that the outflow may be increased or decreased depending on the inflow into the dam. The inflow on Wednesday crossed 47,000 cusecs and that was why the flood gates were opened around 11.30 a.m.

The level on Wednesday rose to 124 ft as against the maximum of 124.8 ft. In the wake of heavy outflow from the reservoir, the authorities in the downstream of the dam had been alerted to prevent people from going near the river which is in full flow.

People have been warned against swimming at Balamuri, Edamuri and Sangam. The district police have also been alerted on the possible floods near the riverbanks. Barricades have been put up along the riverbanks at these tourist spots.

Boating at Ranganatittu Bird Sanctuary has been suspended for now.

Range Forest Officer H.I. Chandra said that the sanctuary had not been closed; only boating had been stopped as a precautionary measure.