The Hindu : Concern over poor inflow into KRS

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 17, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Concern over poor inflow into KRS

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE JULY 16. The water level in the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Reservoir is almost 30 feet below the <149>last year's level for the corresponding period, causing concern to the authorities.

W<149>eak monsoon and intermittent rains in the catchment areas of the Cauvery led to the depletion in the reservoir level, barring the Kabini Reservoir where there has been heavy inflow following adequate rainfall in its catchment area in Kerala.

The inflow into the Kabini was 11,198 cusecs today, while the outflow was 13,854 cusecs. The authorities said excess water could not be stored in the reservoir as its storage capacity was relatively meagre compared to the KRS Reservoir. The water level in the KRS Reservoir was 74.80 feet today against the maximum of 124.80 feet.

This is no better than the water level in the reservoir during summer when it came down to 68 feet.

The water level during the corresponding period last year was 104.05 feet. The inflow today was 4,317 cusecs and the outflow was maintained at 136 cusecs.

The situation was better last year when the inflow was 8,800 cusecs and the outflow was 274 cusecs.

Sources said though the reservoir level did not attain its maximum mark of 124.80 feet last year, the water level continued to peak at a faster rate.

The water level in the reservoir was 73.18 feet last month, and it had gained only 1.62 feet since then. But the scenario was different last year when the reservoir level was hovering around 86 feet during June last, and went on to attain 104.05 feet by July.

<149> As of today, the water level is yet to reach the crest gates.

Sources said the Kabini had its catchment in Kerala where monsoon was active, and hence the inflow into the reservoir was more. The storage capacity of the reservoir was relatively meagre and the Kabini would get inundated soon.

<149>The criticism that water was being released to placate Tamil Nadu farmers, while those in the Kabini region were starved of it was dismissed as unreasonable since there was no way excess water could be impounded in the reservoir, sources added<149>.

The situation was no better at Harangi where the water level was 2,843.10 feet against the maximum level of 2,859 feet.

While the inflow into the reservoir was 4,365 cusecs, the outflow was only five cusecs, according to the Irrigation Department.

Meanwhile, drought-like situation continues to prevail in most parts of the Cauvery Basin, including the command area, because of the weak monsoon. Mysore District received only 182.4 mm. rainfall till June end against the normal rainfall of 262.4 mm.

The district received only 29.9 mm. rainfall during April and May this year against 150.9 mm. during the corresponding period last year.

A vast region in the catchment of the Cauvery receives more rains during July, August, and September, preceded by heavy showers during previous months.

This has not been the case this year. The authorities are worried that even if the district receives normal rainfall in the subsequent <149>days, it may not be enough to overcome the shortage.

Parts of Mysore and surrounding regions received only 2.4 mm rainfall so far <149>this month and it was "scattered".

Most of the taluks in the region are facing water shortage. Officials of the Agriculture Department are working on a contingency plan to cultivate drought-resistant crops.

Members of the Mysore Zilla Panchayat are planning to submit a memorandum to the Government urging it to declare Mysore District as <149>drought-hit in view of inadequate rainfall for the second consecutive year.

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