JOIN USHarangi reservoir, which is one of the main reservoirs of the state, is almost full and water was released from its four crest gates on Sunday.
Harangi is the first reservoir which has become full in the current year. The maximum level of the reservoir is 2,859 foot and the water level was 2856.02 foot on Sunday. There was an inflow of 8469 cusec.
Irrigation Department officials performed to the reservoir before releasing water. Executive Engineer S C Rangaswamy said 3000 cusec water has been released from four crest gates.
From the point of the security of the reservoir, the water level is maintained at 2857 foot. Water will be released to irrigation canals after holding a meeting of irrigation advisory committee, Harangi dam Assistant Executive Engineer S R Dharmaraj said.
In order to ensure the safety of people in living closer to the river basin, only 3000 cusec water is being released in the first phase. The quantity of water release will be increased on the basis of rainfall and inflow, he added.
The reservoir, which has a capacity of 8.5 tmcft of water, has a storage of 7.49 tmcft at present. Before releasing the water from the reservoir, the people were alerted by giving out siren call thrice. The people and tourists watched the dam while releasing water and witnessed the beautiful view of water flowing from the crest gates.
As there was good rain in the district, the reservoir is full to its brim and the farmers in the region are happy. Last year, the reservoir was full on July 18 and this year, it is full on July 10. 1,34,895 acres of area Kodagu, Periyapatna, Hunsur, K R Nagar and Arkalgud get water from the reservoir.
The water from the reservoir joins Harangi river near Koodige, later River Cauvery and joins Krishnaraja Sagara.
Irrigation Department Tahsildar B Shivappa, Revenue officer Nandakumar, Irrigation department Assistant Engineer Nagaraju, Gate reader Muralidhar and Girish were present.
People alerted
The people living closer to the river banks are alerted to shift to safe places and also, fishermen are warned not to carry out fisheries activities.