KRS level falls, but enough for Bengaluru

Mysuru: The water level at the KRS dam in Mandya has depleted to 107.85 feet, however it is much better compared to the level in the previous year.  

Sources at KRS are hopeful of managing the drinking water needs of Bengaluru, Mysuru and places enroute. While currently water is being given intermittently to farmers for agriculture, the decision on water for summer crops will be decided by the government, sources said.

The North East Monsoon commenced on October 1 and upto November end, the state has recorded 11 percent deficit including 9 percent deficit in South Interior Karnataka including the Cauvery catchment area, 10 percent in North Interior Karnataka, 44 percent in Malnad area and 23 percent in the coastal area. Also the State has recorded 8 percent deficit rain during the South West Monsoon which lasted from June to September end including 27 percent deficit in South Interior Karnataka including Cauvery catchment area, according to sources at Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre.

Except for Kabini and Harangi, other reservoirs in Cauvery basin including KRS and Hemavathi haven't reached their optimum level this year. While 114.32 feet was the highest level reached at KRS on October 23 this year, the water level at KRS on Saturday stood at 107.85 feet  as against its capacity of 124.80 feet, inflow was 658 cusecs and outflow was 408 cusecs. Water level on the same day last year was 78.95 feet. At Hemavathi, the water level on Saturday was 2878.04 feet as against its capacity 2922 feet. Inflow was 257 cusecs, outflow was 500 cusecs. Last year on the same day the water level was 2865.06 feet. Water level at Kabini was 2276.64 feet as against its capacity of 2284 feet.