Picnic-goers avoid scenic spots including Balamuri, Edamuri due to lack of water

Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam, the lifeline of Mandya residents and farmers has gone dry with absolutely no increase in water level from the present dead storage level. At present, the dam has 8.2 tmcft of water at the dead storage level of 74.76 ft. While the maximum capacity of the dam is 124.8 ft, last year, the water level stood at 102 ft during this time.

Water supply to Mysuru, Mandya and Bengaluru will be seriously affected in the next few days as the water level has hit the dead storage and there is no rain in the catchment areas for the water to flow into the dam. And with soaring temperature already tormenting people in Mysuru and Mandya, the water-level is expected to dip further.

According to the statistics provided by the Met Department, temperature in Mandya has crossed 40 degree Celsius. On Mar. 31, Mandya recorded a maximum temperature of 41.2 degree Celsius. Last year, the same day had recorded 39.5 degree Celsius and the year before, the same day had recorded 38.3 degree Celsius.

Desperate for water for their use and for livestock, some farmers have resorted to drilling borewells and they have failed to get water even after drilling up to 800 ft.

Meanwhile, the number of tourists arriving at KRS and other picnic spots in and around Mandya has drastically reduced even during weekends. Normally, youngsters from Mysuru and Bengaluru and travellers to Kodagu and Kerala chose en-route picnic destinations including Balamuri and Edamuri waterfalls, Sangam, Gosai Ghat, Bathing Ghats near Sri Nimishamba Temple, Mahadevapura, Ramaswamy Anicut, Gaganachukki waterfalls, and Muthathi to spend some time before heading to their destinations.

Picnic lovers especially enjoy the green atmosphere in and around Balamuri and Edamuri in Srirangapatna and also taste a variety of fried fish and crab dishes offered by shack vendors by the side of the road. Of late, the scorching heat and poor flow in River Cauvery have made tourists to avoid such picnic spots that are at present dominated by rocky structures without a trace of water.

On an average, Balamuri and Edamuri attract at least 3,000 visitors during weekends and a majority of them are youngsters who come either in their cars or bikes. Last weekend hardly 1,200 tourists visited the place, said officials in the Departments of Police and Tourism.