Mandya: Consistent rains in Cauvery river catchment areas has increased the level of water in Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam to 111.13 ft. (today) as against the maximum level of 124.80 ft, giving hopes that the dam would reach its  maximum level soon.

While the inflow of water to the dam is 5,365 cusecs, the outflow is 3,607 cusecs as of today. The water level at the dam stood at 85.90 ft. last year this date. With the lakes and ponds being filled, the farmers, who reeled under severe drought situation, are heaving a  sigh of relief.

On Sunday, the water level stood at 111.06 ft, with an inflow of 5,457 cusecs and outflow of 3,607 cusecs with just 13 ft. left for the KRS Reservoir to reach its maximum capacity.

With severe drought situation faced from last December to January this year, there were no rains and the inflow to the reservoir was negligible resulting in only 70 to 80 ft. storage of water. But after May and June this year till date, 40 ft. water was collected in the reservoir.

1 lakh tourists visit KRS during Dasara: More than 1.12 lakh tourists visited KRS Dam and Brindavan Gardens during Dasara this year, said Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Executive Engineer Basavarajegowda.

He said that tourists beyond their expectations thronged KRS to witness the 10-day cultural programmes organised as part of Dasara at the Reservoir and added that though rains played spoilsport initially, the last four days witnessed about  7 to 8 lakh tourists thronging KRS fetching revenue of more than Rs. 25 lakh.

Cauvery river tributaries too receive water: With rains lashing the catchment areas, the tributaries of Cauvery River too received water and are full after many years.

There was good rains from Kodagu till the district border up to Gaganachukki and from Bellur to Muthatti-Mekedatu resulting in many lakes breaching and Cauvery River tributaries flowing full bringing smiles on the   faces of farmers.

Lokapavani River which joins Cauvery River is flowing half full. Veeravaishnavi, which takes birth at Markonahalli in Kunigal flows through Nelligere in Nagamangala and enters the district and fills lakes and ponds before joining Shimsha River.

These tributaries provide water to hundreds of villages, people and animals, but had dried up due to scanty or no rainfall.  But with recent rains, these tributaries received water and are now flowing full.