Mysuru, Mandya/Bengaluru: The District Administration has issued a flood alert as water from KRS Dam has been released. Eleven crest gates were opened at around 1.15 pm today. A puja was performed by officials before water was released.
Authorities of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) told Star of Mysore this morning that 20,000 cusecs of water (gradually increased to 35,000 cusecs approximately) was released after holding consultations with the Chief Minister’s Office.
Following the flood alert, residents living on the banks of the river downstream have been advised to move into safer places. They have been advised not to venture into the river. People are also advised to be extra cautious while venturing into the river bed as water levels and flows is likely to be higher than normal and may be unpredictable. Low lying areas and riverside areas of T. Narasipur taluk, especially the area surrounding Talakadu temples are vulnerable.
The advisory has been issued by the District Administration following the directives from Central Water Commission and Gangaram Baderia, Principal Secretary to the Government, Revenue Department.
Water gushing out of Crest Gates that were opened this afternoon at Krishna Raja Sagar Dam. [Pic. by M.N. Lakshminarayana Yadav]
The advisory states that heavy rainfall in the Cauvery catchment area has resulted in rapid rise of water levels of rivers in Cauvery basin. Harangi and Kabini dams have reached Full Reservoir Levels (FRL) and KRS and Hemavathi are likely to reach FRL in a day or two because of copious inflows. The water from dams will be released in a controlled manner as per the Standard Operating Procedure.
“Strict vigil has to be maintained at the dam as well as in the downstream area and necessary precautions have to be taken to regulate the release smoothly without creating flood-like situation in downstream area. District Administration has been advised to take all necessary precautions and water-based recreational activity in the river must be suspended during monsoon and popular river spots be manned to dissuade tourists from swimming or venturing into the river,” the advisory stated.
CNNL Executive Engineer K. Basavaraje Gowda said that KRS will reach its maximum level of 124.80 feet tomorrow if the same inflow of 41,000 cusecs continues. Today’s level stands at 122.70 feet.
104 crest gates
In all, there are 104 crest gates in the dam at various levels and water will be automatically released as it reaches that particular level. “There are 48 two-tier gates when the level reaches 103 feet, 40 gates when the level reaches 106 feet and 16 gates when the water level reaches 80 feet. The Dam has been designed in such a way that water flows from these gates automatically as and when the level increases. It is a technical marvel as water is simultaneously retained and allowed to flow without causing any harm to the dam structure,” he added.
Let us hope Rain Gods will provide copious rains year after year, so that water can be shared amicably with all the neighborhood shares without the need for pinpricks from Cauvery river authority.
It is a good sign for the State Government that the nature has been kind to fill the reservoir to it’s brim after many years.
This is very amazing and probably the first time that KRS is full so quickly.
Nice to see Kaveramma in full flow, may all be happy & satisfied with this.
I hope kongas will NOT demand Karnataka to preserve excess water and supply to them whenever they want.
Purpose of reservoirs created is exactly that! Save water when it rains and use it later. Let us not blame nature or our politicians. It is in the nature of river to originate in the hills (mostly), flow down the plains and meet the ocean. It is a perennial cycle. Man in his greed and selfishness tries to change nature. No point in chanting ‘sarve jano sukhino bhavantu” and wishing ill for others.
Very good News
YES. The nature has given us a chance by incessant rains in Kodagu & Malnad, the catchment areas of Cauvery. The mindless deforestation in these areas in the name of infrastructure / entertainment / developmental schemes should stop…
The mushrooming of buildings in the forests should stop…
One example….
There was a news clip titled Nature’s revenge last week regarding 9 tons of garbage dumped back on the shores in Mumbai following heavy rains…
We will reap what we sow!!!
Such things to be taken as warning & we should stop abusing the nature…
Thanks to Mysore Maharaja, & Maharani, ppl of those yrs contributed n encouraged Sir M Vishwesharaih to build strong dam that stabds for centuries….
it is a good contribution from sir mv and as well organizing funds from nalvadi krishnaraja wadeya on those days and today we are enjoying the fruits of these two people of this state. there is no one sos far equal to the earlier marjara. all other cms made lot of money only. not even one of them has done any good contribution to the state. mharaja vaduveer must offer bagina as this year it is all the blessings of this maharaja made mysore with such bounty of water in krs. he deserves all appreciation.
It is a technical wonder that the gates are so designed that water flows as wster reaches that level
The people in the riparian states must thank the mansoon for the bounty this year and the news of KRS dam brimming is a big relief for drinking water supply for the coming year.
Ifeel proud to be a the grandson of of late K.R.Venkatasubbachar who was in charge of the sluice gate installation. His name can be found on the stone panel at the entrance.
He, later , was responsible for pumping drinking water to the Chamundi Hills with British piston pumps which served nearly half a century.
Nature is Bountiful , and water ,land should be shared by all . When any projects are carried for water shed, or irrigation or drinking purposes should not bring political intervention. No one can stop utilising rain-fed , in command areas.
It is great news that KRS is again full to the brim. My maternal grandfather late n. Lakshmanachar was one of the executive engineers on the job. When we were living and studying in mysore the highlight of our visit to KRS was to see his name on the main entrance arch. May MA KAVERI be ever bountiful to all.