Cauvery Basin Reservoirs Surge Toward Full Capacity Following Intense Rainfall
Heavy inflows have pushed the Kabini dam to near-maximum levels, prompting massive water discharge and flooding of local infrastructure. Meanwhile, the KRS reservoir approaches the 100-foot threshold as catchment areas in Kodagu remain saturated.
Key takeaways
- Kabini reservoir is within two feet of its maximum 2,284-foot level, prompting a 25,000 cusec discharge.
- The KRS reservoir reached 98.8 feet on Sunday evening, sustained by inflows exceeding 31,500 cusecs.
- Submerged bridges and roads have cut off connectivity between several villages in the Virajpet taluk and near the Kabini dam.
- Harangi reservoir levels stood at 2,856.72 feet, with authorities modulating discharge rates throughout Sunday.
Flood Alerts Issued as Dam Capacities Peak
Persistent rainfall across catchment areas has rapidly elevated water levels in the primary reservoirs of the Cauvery basin. As of Sunday evening, the Kabini reservoir reached 2,282.43 feet, hovering just below its maximum capacity of 2,284 feet. In response to an inflow of 27,217 cusecs, authorities initiated a significant discharge, releasing 25,000 cusecs through four crest gates and directing an additional 2,000 cusecs into the canal network.
Infrastructure Disruptions and Regional Impact
The surge in discharge from the Kabini dam has already impacted local transit, submerging a low-level bridge and isolating several nearby villages. In Kodagu, despite a slight easing of precipitation on Sunday, the Cauvery river remains in spate. This has resulted in the flooding of the road linking Karigodu and Chikkanahalli in the Virajpet taluk, forcing officials to redirect traffic to alternative routes. The water level at the Triveni Sangama in Bhagamandala has also shown a marked increase.
Monitoring KRS and Harangi Status
The Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir is steadily climbing toward its 124.8-foot maximum, recorded at 98.8 feet on Sunday with inflows at 31,583 cusecs. Simultaneously, the Harangi reservoir reached 2,856.72 feet, narrowly trailing its 2,859-foot limit. Management at Harangi adjusted outflow during the day, tapering discharge from 14,470 cusecs in the morning to 9,500 cusecs by 8 p.m. Following a flood warning issued on Saturday, the Irrigation Department continues to advise residents in downstream low-lying zones to maintain safety precautions.
Source: The Hindu — National
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