The Kabini reservoir is one of the main sources of water in the State.
Among all the prominent reservoirs in the State, Kabini is all set to become the first reservoir to reach its maximum capacity.
Last year, the reservoir reached its maximum capacity only by the end of July. However, this year the reservoir is likely to get full by June end. As much as 10,000 cusec of water will be released to Tamil Nadu from the reservoir.
Water from the reservoir will benefit the farmers of Nanjangud, T Narsipur, Yelandur, Kollegal, Chamarajanagar, besides parts of Tamil Nadu. Drinking water is also supplied to prominent cities and towns including Mysore, Nanjangud, Chamarajanagar, Yelandur and Kollegal from the reservoir.
During the same time last year, the water level in the reservoir was only 67.5 feet. However, this year, due to heavy rains in Wayanad in Kerala and Rajiv Gandhi National Park, the water level has reached 82 feet. It has been decided to release the water in view of the safety of the dam, said Assistant Executive Engineer Manjunath.
KRS reaches 100 ft
The water level in the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) reservoir stood at 99.8 feet, against a maximum of 124.80 feet. The water level stood at 84 feet on the same day last year.
Cauvery Neeravari Nigam officials said that the level will reach 100 feet by Wednesday, if the inflow continues at the same rate. On Monday evening, the inflow was 9,831 cusec.
By Tuesday morning, it increased to 11,100 cusec and to 13,524 cusec by evening. The outflow, which was 6,868 cusec, reduced to 4,875 cusec by Tuesday evening.
Copious flow into Almatti
The inflow into the Almatti reservoir has increased in the last five days, following good rains in the catchment area of the Krishna river, both in the State and Maharashtra.
The inflow stood at 18,994 cusec on Tuesday and the water level was 514.17 metre against a maximum level of 519.6 metre. The dam presently has about 55 tmc ft of water.
The water level in the reservoir on June 28 last year was 513.80 metre, with an inflow of 4,700 cusec. This year, the inflow into the Almatti reservoir has increased since the second week of June. The water level is expected to touch its maximum level in one month, if the inflow continues as at present.
All the 26 gates of the reservoir are closed now and water is not being let out. A decision will be taken on releasing water into the canals during a meeting of the irrigation consultative committee in the second week of July.
Generation of electricity has been stopped since April at the 290-MW Almatti hydropower plant. Water will be released from the reservoir for power generation only after the maximum level is reached. This year, power generation is likely to start from July third week.
Linganamakki reservoir
The Linganamakki and Bhadra reservoirs recorded an increase of one foot in the water level on Tuesday due to continued inflow of water following rains in Shimoga district.
On Tuesday, there was an inflow of 24,311 cusecs of water to Linganamakki reservoir and the water level rose to 1,767.90 ft. Bhadra reservoir received an inflow of 11,863 cusec of water, taking the water level to 156.1 ft. Tunga reservoir received an inflow of 57,152 cusec.
Rains continued in Sagar, Tirthahalli and surrounding areas. Rainfall recorded in the last 24 hours are as follows: Tirthahalli - 46.2 mm; Agumbe - 38 mm; Hosanagar - 29.4 mm; Hulikal - 178 mm; Yaduru - 131 mm; and Mastikatte - 125 mm.
Plantation washed away
Though heavy rains lashed Dakshina Kannada in the last two days, they receded on Tuesday.
However, due to the floods owing to the breach in a mini-dam built across the Anekallu stream in Vittal, arecanut plantation in about one acre was washed away. As many as 300 arecanut trees were uprooted.
Strong winds brought down many trees in Mangalore. In the last 24 hours, Karkala taluk received the highest rainfall of 226.2 mm, followed by Udupi - 154 mm and Kundapur - 53.6 mm.
Meanwhile, sea erosion has intensified at Padukere in Udyavar of Udupi.
