H.D. Kote: Heavy rains lashing Waynad and surrounding areas in Kerala since four days has resulted in massive inflow of water into the Kabini reservoir here which reached the maximum level today.

The authorities have discharged 15,000 cusecs of water from the reservoir this morning besides issuing warning to people living in low-lying places to move to safer place.

The water level at the reservoir today stood at 2,282.05 ft. as against the maximum level of 2,284 ft. with an inflow of 18,000 cusecs.

The reservoir serves as a lifeline for farmers in Chamarajanagar, besides storing drinking water to Mysuru.

This is for the first time in the history of the reservoir that it has reached the maximum storage in the month of September as the dam would usually be full in the month of June.

In the past two years, due to scanty rainfall, the reservoir did not reach the maximum storage point and last year, water was drawn from the dead storage to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru, Mysuru and other places.

Meanwhile, Chamarajanagar MP R. Dhruvanarayan visited the reservoir this morning. It is learnt that his visit was to prepare a stage for CM Siddharamaiah to offer bagina at the dam.

Irrigation Department Executive Engineer Jagadeesh, Assistant Executive Engineer Krishnaiah and other officials were present during the MP’s visit.