Madikeri: With summer season entering midway, the authorities are all set to release 500 cusecs of water from Harangi Dam everyday for drinking water needs to parts of Kodagu district.

The water will be released on a daily basis from tomorrow (May 13) as per a decision taken at Harangi Water Committee Meeting which was chaired by the Mysuru Regional Commissioner recently.

According to Harangi Dam Executive Engineer I.K. Puttaswamy, the release of 500 cusecs of water from Harangi Dam everyday will help in meeting the drinking water needs of Kushalnagar, Periyapatna, Arakalgud, Hunsur, K.R. Nagar and Saligrama taluks.

At present, the water level in the Dam stands at 2826.45 ft.  as against the maximum level of 2859 ft. with a daily inflow of 155 cusecs of water.

If there are good rains in Harangi catchment areas like Madikeri, Galibeedu, Kalur, Makkandur, Suntikoppa, Madapura, Soorlabbi, Garvale, Kumbaragadige and Somwarpet, then it will help push up water levels in Harangi streams such as Hattihole, Madapurahole, Kakkehole and Duddagal.

Ultimately, this water will collect at Harangi backwaters, thus expanding the storage area.