Water in Bhadra dam, situated at Lakkavalli in the taluk was released on Tuesday by opening the four crest gates of the reservoir.
The officials concerned had intimated the farmers on the release of the water at 1.30 pm.
Thousands of people gathered at the place to witness the rare and spectacular view.
The maximum level of the dam is 186-feet. Before the water was released on Tuesday, the water level stood at 183.8-feet.
About 6,200 cusecs of water was released on Tuesday. Currently, there is an inflow of 23,000 cusecs in the dam, said officials.
Tourists have been thronging the site as water is being released for the first time in the last four years.
Bhadra reservoir Chief Engineer R P Kulkarni, Superintending Engineer H K Diwakara Naika, Executive Engineer P Venkatesh, Technical Assistant Nataraj Patil were present.
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