Cities like Mysore, Bangalore and Mandya may not face a drinking water problem this year, with the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs recording enough storage. But things do not appear to be too rosy for Hassan that depends on the Hemavathi reservoir for its water needs.  

The water storage in the KRS and Kabini dams are said to be enough to last till the end of May.

The KRS dam, in Srirangpatna taluk, Mandya district on Monday had a water level of 84.58 ft water, while last year on the same day, the level was 67.50 ft. The maximum level of the reservoir is 124.80 ft. Officials said that there was enough water in the dam and that there was no need to worry till May end. 

“Water will be provided to Mysore, Mandya, Ramanagara and Bangalore without any disruption. The rains are expected to fill the dam in June,” he said.

The Kabini reservoir, situated in H D Kote taluk of Mysore district, has recorded a water level of 2,265.49 ft. Last year, the level stood at 2,247.5 feet. The maximum level of the reservoir is 2,284 feet. Nagabhushan H B, executive engineer, Kabini reservoir, said that the water storage was good and that sufficient water was being supplied for agricultural activities.

Low storage in Hemavathi

However, the water level in the Hemavathi reservoir - that supplies water to Hassan town, Arkalgud, Channarayapatna, Shravanabelagola and Mandagere in Hassan district - has hit rock bottom literally. 

The present water storage in the dam is just 1.042 tmc ft against its full capacity of 37.103 tmc ft. The inflow was a mere 58 cusecs on Monday morning.  The daily outflow is 75 cusecs to meet the needs of people in the towns in the river basin. 

Officials are having a tough time pumping water out of the reservoir as the water level has plummeted below the second stage of the jackwell from where water is supplied to Hassan town. They are having to pump water using an additional pump. However, the reservoir authorities have assured that supply to the town will not be affected. 

Of the present capacity of 5.453 tmc ft in the Hemavathi reservoir, only 1.042 tmc ft can be utilised as the rest of it is dead storage. 

But, Venkatesh, the engineer in charge of the dam, reassures that they can pump even the dead storage water if the need arises. Last year too, water was supplied from dead storage to the town.
  There has been a crisis this year, even though the Hemavathi reservoir reached its full capacity in July last year, much earlier than usual. But water had to be released to save standing crops as there was scanty rain in August.