Mandya: Thanks to copious rains in catchment areas in Kodagu, water level at Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam in Mandya has crossed 100 feet mark, bringing in cheers among farmers, residents of Mysuru, Mandya and even Bengaluru who depend on Cauvery water for drinking and agricultural purposes.

According to the statistics provided by Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Ltd. (CNNL), water level this morning stood at a little above 100 feet as against a maximum level of 124.80 feet. Officials said that if the same amount of rain continues in catchment areas, the Dam will reach its maximum level by July-end.

The water level in the Dam has increased by over 30 feet as in the first week of May, the water level stood at 71.80 feet. The Dam collected over 12 feet of water in the past one week. The water level stood at 98.20 feet yesterday morning, with an inflow of 38,073 cusecs, whereas it was 67.78 feet on the corresponding day last year, with an inflow of 1,515 cusecs and an outflow of 861 cusecs. By yesterday evening, the water level touched the 100 mark.

This is the first time in recent years that the reservoir level has reached the 100-feet mark as early as the second week of June. Water level at the Dam on June 17, 2008 had touched the 100-feet mark and after 10 years, the water level has reached the 100-feet mark on June 16. In 2015, the reservoir had 111 feet of water, 99.65 feet in 2016 and 114 feet in 2017.

The good inflow has been attributed to the early onset of the monsoon and the catchment area of the Cauvery receiving copious rainfall in the last week of May and the first week of June.

The rise in the reservoir level is also due to a decrease in the outflow from the KRS as farmers downstream of the Dam and in the command area do not require water at least till the second week of July and are satisfied with the intermittent showers being received across the region.