Heavy water discharge from Krishnaraja Sagar dam in June after a gap of over 80 years

Mysuru: With heavy rains continuing in the Cauvery river basin, there is a heavy inflow into the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam in Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district, and more than 30,000 cusec of water is being released into the river. There is a huge discharge of water from the dam in the month of June after a gap of over 80 years.

The Cauvery Neeravari Nigam (CNN) has issued a flood warning alert on Wednesday evening. The release states that around 30,000 to 50,000 cusec of water will be released into the river any moment, due to heavy rains in the KRS catchment area, resulting in the reservoir rising to its full storage level. The people living in low-lying areas downstream have been asked to move to safer places.

The water level of the dam on Wednesday morning was 120.90 ft, with just four feet away from the maximum level of 124.80 ft. The inflow was 20,315 cusec and outflow more than 30,000 cusec. The water level on the corresponding day last year was 87.60 ft, with 1,300 cusec inflow and 930 cusec outflow.

According to sources, a huge amount of water has been released from the dam into the Cauvery river in the month of June, only twice, so far.

It is said that the water was released in 1941 in June and now in 2025, after a gap of 84 years. Water is usually released from the dam in the months of June, July and August, when the later level is above 100-ft mark in the dam.

Full in June

This is said to be the earliest instance in recent history, where the dam will be full in the month of June, ahead of schedule, bringing relief among the farming community of Mandya district, dependent on Cauvery waters for irrigation. With good rains in the Cauvery basin and catchment areas, the reservoir is expected to fill in the next few days.

100-ft mark in May

It may be mentioned that the KRS Dam touched 100-ft mark on May 30 this year, a second time in the last 35 years (from 1990). The dam touched the 100-ft mark on May 11, in 2022. Usually the dam reaches the 100-ft mark only between June and July. But, this year, it is almost full and the excess water is being let into the river, as a precautionary measure for the safety of the dam.

The inflow into the Kabini Dam was 20,000 cusec and outflow 25,000 cusec on Wednesday. Flood warning has also been issued for the safety of the people. The water level of the dam is 2,278.43 ft, against the maximum level of 2,284 ft on June 25.

With heavy rains in the Malnad region, the inflow of water into the Hemavathi dam increased to 14,985 cusec, as on June 25. The outflow was 15,700 cusec. The water level of the dam was 2,915.5 ft, against the maximum level of 2,922 ft.

Ban on boating

As the water level in the river has increased, boating has been suspended at the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. However, tourists are allowed for bird watching. The Egret, Heron, Cormorant birds are safe, according to Range Forest Officer Syed Nadeem.