Chennai
oi-Prakash KL
Heavy monsoon rains across catchment areas in Karnataka and Kerala have triggered a sharp surge in water inflows into key Cauvery basin reservoirs, bringing potential relief to the ongoing inter-state water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The Kabini reservoir in Mysuru’s H.D. Kote taluk recorded a heavy inflow of approximately 15,500 cusecs following intense rainfall in Kerala’s Wayanad region. The water level reached 2,280.08 feet-just four feet short of its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 2,284 feet, The Hindu reported.
Heavy monsoon rains in Karnataka and Kerala have significantly increased water inflows into Cauvery basin reservoirs like Kabini and Harangi, potentially easing the water-sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu as surplus water reaches the Mettur Dam.
With Kabini nearing capacity, the authorities are preparing to discharge between 8,000 and 10,000 cusecs of water into the river.
The revival of the Southwest Monsoon brought heavy precipitation to Kodagu district, which logged an average rainfall of 56.79 mm over 24 hours. Regional totals spiked sharply in specific catchments: Shanthalli: 180 mm, Bhagamandala: 125.6 mm, and Harangi Dam Catchment: 39.6 mm.
The downpour propelled inflows into the Harangi Reservoir to 9,896 cusecs, pushing its water level to 127.55 feet (against a full depth of 129 feet). To manage the volume, authorities released 10,058 cusecs downstream.
Heavy to extreme rainfall across Hassan, Chikmagalur, and Kodagu is expected to drive substantial inflows into the Hemavathy Reservoir over the coming days.
Combined discharges from Harangi (currently near capacity) and Hemavathy feed into the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam, which currently stands at 91.8 feet (maximum capacity 124.8 feet). Meanwhile, surplus discharge from Kabini travels directly toward Tamil Nadu’s Mettur Dam, where water levels currently hover at 73.82 feet against a full depth of 120 feet.
