80,000 cusecs out from Kabini reservoir, highest ever

With heavy rain lashing Wayanad district of Kerala, the inflow into the Kabini reservoir in H D Kote taluk of Mysuru district has increased and 80,000 cusecs of water was released into Kapila River on Thursday evening. This is said to be the highest ever, since the construction of the dam.

With the Banasura dam in Kerala reaching the maximum level, around 15,000 cusecs is being released from the dam, thereby increasing the inflow to the Kabini dam. The inflow, on August 9, was 65,000 cusecs.

According to officials, 70,200 cusecs water was released in the year 1992, and 68,000 cusecs in 2009.

The bridges at N Beguru, K Bellathuru and Hommaragalli have been submerged. People travelling to villages have to take alternative routes. The Tumbasoge bridge may also get submerged if more water is released from the dam.

As there is a possibility of an increase in the outflow during the night, officials have issued a flood alert and have advised the people not to take on the bridge at night.

Assistant Executive Engineer Puttaseshagiri said that since the Kabini dam had filled well in advance, 90 tmc ft of water had been released to Tamil Nadu. Flood alerts
have been issued and people downstream have been advised to shift to safer places, he said. For the first time ever, 4,000 cusecs of water is being released into the river through the crest gates at Nugu reservoir, Saragur. The dam has reached the maximum level of 110 ft, due to heavy inflow.

Heavy rain in Kodagu district in the past two days has increased the inflow into the KRS dam.

As the dam has already reached the maximum level, 43,809 cusecs of water is being released into the Cauvery river.

The water level on August 9 was 124.55 ft. The inflow was 29,160 cusecs. An additional 10,000 cusecs may be released into the river at night, said Cauvery Neeravari Nigam officials.

Boating has been suspended at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district, following the rise in the river water level.