Kushalnagar/Mandya: The lifeline of Mandya district, the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam, has achieved a historic milestone — filling to its full capacity of 124.80 ft (49.452 tmcft) in the month of June for the first time in 93 years.

This rare event set a new record and marked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as the first CM of Karnataka to offer bagina — a traditional ritual — at the Dam in June.

Built between 1911 and 1932 under the reign of Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the Reservoir had never reached full capacity during June previously.

According to Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) authorities, the previous highest June level was in 1941, when the Dam touched 121.45 ft (44.912 tmcft) and water was released for the first time that month. After an 84-year gap, water has once again been released in June — this time in 2025 (on June 23).

On the night of Sunday, June 29, the reservoir reached its maximum level, aligning perfectly with Siddaramaiah’s bagina offering the following morning. This June, the Dam recorded its highest single-day inflow of 73,811 cusecs on June 28 and a peak outflow of 55,000 cusecs on June 26.

Between June 1 and June 29, 2025, Bhagamandala in Kodagu District received 1,449 mm of rainfall, slightly lower than the 1,587 mm recorded during the same period in 1941.

The dam’s cumulative inflow this month stands at 44.89 tmcft, while the outflow totals 19.29 tmcft. Kodagu district, which feeds the Reservoir, was forecast to receive 756 mm in June but instead received 1,408 mm — marking a 68 percent increase.

Inflow to the KRS Dam began steadily from June 23. Although the Reservoir could have filled by June 27, CNNL officials strategically delayed its filling to coincide with the Chief Minister’s visit. Water was released into the River to regulate the levels, keeping the Reservoir temporarily at 120 ft before allowing it to  reach full capacity.

Remarkably, on May 24, the Reservoir had dipped to just 89.10 ft. Pre-monsoon showers brought a sharp turnaround: By May 28, the inflow surged to 26,000 cusecs, raising the water level by six feet in just four days, reaching 95.35 ft. On May 30, it touched the 100-ft mark — a milestone not seen in May for over four decades.

With monsoon rains intensifying in early June, the Reservoir level rose swiftly to 106 ft by June 3. Continued rainfall across the Cauvery basin has now brought the KRS Dam to its rare and celebrated full capacity.