Medical education and district in-charge minister S A Ramdas offered ‘bagina’ to the brimming Kabini reservoir at Beechanahalli, H D Kote taluk, Mysore district, on Sunday amidst a parky weather.
The bagina was offered to river Kapila at Kabini at second crest gate of the reservoir. Special puja was offered for the welfare of farmers. MLC Siddaraju, Cauvery Niravari Nigama chief engineer Shivashankar, zilla panchayat vice-president Bhagyalakshmi and others accompanied the minister.
Speaking to media persons after offering bagina, Ramdas said, the reservoir was full due to copious rainfall in Wayanad, Kerala, the Kabini catchment area. He said, 10 to 15 mm rainfall was recorded in Kodagu, which has resulted in increase in the inflow to KRS reservoir.
“The government and people were worried about severe drought that hit the state after 40 years. First, five taluks were declared drought-hit. It added to the distress, when two more taluks joined the list. But, though late, Kabini is full, which could relieve farmers of further worries, he said.
Regarding chief minister Jagadish Shettar not attending the bagina offering programme, he said, the chief minister has directed all district in-charge ministers to offer bagina in their respective districts, as he was on a drought inspection tour at Bagalkot.
“The CM and minor irrigation minister Govind M Karjol were invited, but they could not participate due to various reasons. Jagadish Shettar would visit Mysore on August 29 and offer bagina at KRS reservoir, which is nearing its maximum level,” he added.
He said, as there was good rainfall in the region, officials have been directed to release water from all reservoirs in the district.
Speaking about releasing water for irrigation to the left bank canal, he said, as the lining was damaged, water would be released soon after its repair. “As only one tender application has been received for the tender invitation for the repair works, the project has been delayed,” he informed.
The inflow at Kabini is 13,000 cusecs and 15,000 cusecs of water is being let out. The water level was 81 ft against the maximum level of 84 ft.