Mysuru/Mandya: The Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) that resembled a rocky terrain in the dry districts of North Karnataka rather than a reservoir is slowly getting filled though the amount of water flowing into the reservoir is not at the expected level.

This year was the first time since 1969 that vast expanses of the terrain especially on the eastern and western side of the reservoir have become visible. Lack of rains since the last two years and continuous release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu led to the present situation, say irrigation officials.

Now the good news is that thanks to copious rains in catchment areas including Kodagu and Hassan, the inflow has increased. Water level at the KRS this morning stood at 67.86 ft. with an inflow of 1,397 cusecs and an outflow of 1,075 cusecs.

According to irrigation officials at the reservoir, there has been a steady flow of water since the last eight days starting June 10 (see table). “It has been raining in the catchment areas and the initial rain water was absorbed by earth and only now water has started flowing into the reservoir,” an official said and added that it is a long way to go for the reservoir to reach its maximum level of 124.80 ft. “We are hoping for the best and the rains in the catchment areas must intensify for the inflow to increase,” the official said. From June 10, we have got about half TMC water and the inflow will increase if the rains continue,” he added.

The water level at the reservoir stands 7 feet less than the dead storage level of 60 feet. The reservoir normally reaches its full capacity of 124.80 feet between July and September.

Water level at Harangi Reservoir in Kodagu district is at 2,813 feet while the dam’s full capacity is 2,859 feet. Harangi is receiving 800-1,000 cusecs of water a day. Inflow is expected to increase once the catchment area starts receiving good rainfall. Likewise in Kabini too, there has been a steady flow of water as it is raining in Kerala, its catchment area.

WATER STATISTICS