Water levels in Cauvery basin dams very low: minister

Water in four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin -  the KRS, the Kabini, the Hemavathi and the Harangi - is sufficient only to be utilised for drinking purposes, Planning, and Programme Monitoring Minister M R Seetharam said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Seetharam said poor inflow this year had resulted in water levels reaching only 44% of the full capacity in the four reservoirs. The reservoirs were 78% full during the same time last year. It may be difficult to even supply drinking water if the depletion in rainfall continues, he said.

Seetharam said he had held a meeting with Water Resources Minister M B Patil and legislators from the Cauvery basin to assess the situation.